The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed Friday that Iran's Khondab heavy water reactor sustained structural damage following Israeli airstrikes near Arak in central Iran. The announcement comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, with global observers closely monitoring nuclear security implications.
Israeli forces issued evacuation warnings to residents near the Arak nuclear complex on Thursday before conducting strikes targeting the area. While Iranian officials acknowledged nearby explosions, they maintained the Khondab facility itself remained undamaged – a claim contradicted by the IAEA's findings.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi emphasized the agency's neutral role in a CNN interview: "Military action, from wherever it comes, is a political decision that has nothing to do with what we're saying." The statement highlights growing concerns about potential misuse of nuclear monitoring data for military purposes.
The Khondab reactor, part of Iran's controversial nuclear program, has long been a focal point in international nonproliferation discussions. Heavy water reactors like Khondab can produce plutonium suitable for nuclear weapons, though Iran maintains its nuclear activities are strictly peaceful.
