The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed on Sunday (local time) that Iran’s Khondab heavy water plant was severely damaged and was no longer operational following Israeli strikes on the plant amid the conflict in West Asia.
In a post on X, the IAEA said its assessment was based on an independent analysis of satellite images and technical knowledge of the facility.
The agency added that the facility, located near Arak in central Iran, has long been a focal point of international concern due to its potential role in nuclear development.
“Based on an independent analysis of satellite images and knowledge of the facility, the IAEA has confirmed that the heavy water production plant at Khandab, which Iran reported was attacked on March 27, has been severely damaged and is no longer operational. The facility does not contain any declared nuclear material,” the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency said in the post.
Khondab Heavy Water Plant is located in the Iranian city of Arak and is also referred to as the Arak Nuclear Complex.
This comes after the Israel Defense Forces confirmed on Friday that it had carried out the attack, describing the facility as a key component of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
In a statement shared on Telegram, the IDF said the IAF targeted the site based on intelligence inputs.
According to the Israeli military, the plant produces heavy water, a material used in certain types of nuclear reactors, including the Arak reactor, which it claimed was originally designed with the capacity to produce weapons-grade plutonium.
The IDF further claimed that despite international obligations, including provisions in nuclear agreements, Iran had not completely converted the reactor to prevent plutonium production. It also claimed that repeated reconstruction efforts at the site after previous strikes had been identified.
“The Israeli army will not allow the Iranian regime to continue developing its nuclear weapons program, which poses an existential threat,” the statement said, adding that the strike was part of an operation referred to as “Rising Lion.”
These developments come amid escalating tensions in the region, with increasing scrutiny of Iran’s nuclear activities and Israel’s stated policy of preventing Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons capabilities. (that I)
