What is Iran's Arak heavy water reactor and why Israel attacked it? Explained
Israel on Thursday carried out strikes on Iran's Arak heavy water reactor in its latest offensive against Tehran's sprawling nuclear programme on the seventh day of escalating conflict in the Middle East.
The Israeli strikes came parallelly with an Iranian missile hitting a hospital in the southern part of the country, causing 'extensive damage', according to the Associated Press.
Israel had warned on Thursday morning that it would attack the facility and urged the public to flee the area. Iran Israel war live updates.
The Arak Nuclear Complex, located in the Western part of the country, around 280 kilometres from the capital Tehran, comprises a heavy water experimental reactor and an adjacent heavy water production plant.
Also Read: Missiles hit Israel's main hospital in south, Iran's Arak heavy water reactor
The heavy water from the facility helps cool nuclear reactors. Though Iran insists that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes, the reactor produces weapons-grade plutonium as a byproduct, which can potentially be used in nuclear weapons, several websites, including Politico and Missile Defence Advocacy Alliance, reported.
If Iran decides to pursue a nuclear weapon, the plutonium would help it develop a nuclear bomb without enriching uranium.
The international community has remained concerned over the Arak reactor, as several other countries have used such a reactor to produce plutonium for nuclear weapons.
Moreover, the details regarding the development of the facility have been murky, with reports of foreign experts, including Russia, contributing to the construction.
Iran started secretly developing a Heavy Water Research Reactor in 2003 after several nuclear suppliers rejected its requests in the 1990s.
In 2015, Iran reached a landmark accord with several world powers, including the US, which is popularly known as the Iran nuclear agreement.
Also Read: Iran warns against US intervention in conflict with Israel: 'All options on table'
Under the agreement, Iran agreed to redesign the facility and dismantle much of its nuclear programme to relieve proliferation concerns- a move which was agreed in exchange of several billions of dollars' worth of sanctions, Politico reported.
In 2019, the country started the secondary circuit of the heavy water reactor. Though Iran didn't violate 2015 nuclear deal, the move resulted in the country getting closer towards developing nuclear weapons.
During the crucial interphase, UK stepped in to help Iran redesign the Arak reactor to limit the amount of plutonium produced as the US unilaterally withdrew from the deal in 2018 after Trump came into power, according to the Associated Press.
As part of the 2015 deal, Tehran also agreed to sell off its heavy water to the West to comply with the terms of the accord.
Several international agencies, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the United Nations' nuclear watchdog, have been urging Israel not to attack Iranian nuclear sites.
The Israeli military said that the fighter jets targeted the Arak facility to halt Iran from producing plutonium.
"The strike targeted the component intended for plutonium production, in order to prevent the reactor from being restored and used for nuclear weapons development," Israel said.
However, Iran has maintained that the water reactor facility is for peaceful purposes. Iran enriches uranium up to 60 per cent, which is slightly short of weapons-grade levels of 90 per cent.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
28 minutes ago
- Time of India
US embassy warns visa holders after viral deportation video: ‘It's a privilege, not a right'
NEW DELHI: The US Embassy in India has issued a sharp warning to visa holders, reiterating that 'a US visa is a privilege, not a right', and that violating US laws, even after arrival, can lead to visa revocation and ineligibility for future travel. The statement, posted on the embassy's official X handle on Thursday, emphasized that screening doesn't end once a visa is issued, and any illegal activity, including drug use or breach of immigration laws while on a student or visitor visa, could have lasting consequences. 'Using illegal drugs or breaking any US laws while on a student/visitor visa can make you ineligible for future US visas. A US visa is a privilege, not a right… and we may revoke your visa if you break the law,' the embassy said. Third warning this month This is the third such advisory from the US Embassy in India in June alone, each one stressing Washington's firm stance against visa misuse and illegal immigration. On June 10, the embassy stated that while the United States welcomes legitimate travellers, it "cannot and will not tolerate" illegal entry or violation of laws. A follow-up on June 16 went a step further, noting that the US has established new visa restrictions on foreign officials and facilitators of mass or illegal immigration. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No oil wells in Rhode Island: Chevron calls climate change lawsuit frivolous Legal Newsline Learn More Undo Indian student's deportation sparks outrage The latest statement comes amid a surge in deportation cases and the circulation of a viral video showing an Indian student in handcuffs at Newark Airport, allegedly being deported. The clip, shared by Indian-American author Kunal Jain, triggered a wave of concern across Indian social media. 'I witnessed a young Indian student being deported from Newark Airport last night, handcuffed, crying, treated like a criminal. He came chasing dreams, not causing harm,' Jain posted on X. He said the student appeared to be from Haryana and was heard shouting: 'I'm not crazy… they are hell bent to prove that I am crazy.' Jain, who tagged the Indian Embassy and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, alleged that such deportations were becoming alarmingly routine. 'Every day 3-4 such cases are happening,' he wrote, describing the student as 'disoriented and helpless.' Over 1,000 Indians deported in recent months As per India's Ministry of External Affairs, 1,080 Indian nationals have been deported from the US since the Trump administration returned to power earlier this year. The recent crackdown in Los Angeles has also seen mass immigration sweeps, with Trump declaring, 'They spit, we hit,' in a controversial order during unrest in the city.
Time of India
30 minutes ago
- Time of India
Evening news wrap: Iranian missiles targets Israel's Soroka hospital; Shashi Tharoor admits having differences with several Congress leaders; & more
Today's top 5 news developments includes critical updates on the Iran-Israel conflict, 's recent comments on differences with several leaders and follow up on Meghalaya honeymoon murder case. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Iran launched a series of fresh missiles targeting South Israel's Soroka hospital. The strike resulted in severe damage to the building and surrounding areas. Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor acknowledged having differences with several party leaders and revealed that he did not campaign in the Nilambur assembly byelection as he was not invited for it. The Meghalaya honeymoon murder case took another twist, with investigators now pursuing a new suspect named 'Sanjay Verma'. Iranian missiles targets Israel's Soroka hospital Iran has fired a missile that hit Israel's Soroka Hospital in Beersheba early on Thursday morning, causing heavy damage and injuring people. A video released by authorities shows the missile striking the hospital directly. Health and emergency officials in the region have launched efforts to find and treat any injured people while assessing overall damage. The attack on a medical facility has raised international worry about violence targeting civilian sites and could lead to further retaliation . Shashi Tharoor admits having differences with several Congress leaders Senior Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor said that there are some disagreements between him and the party leadership. He admitted these differences but emphasized that he remains loyal to the party's values and its workers. He also mentioned that he was not invited by the party to campaign in the Nilambur Assembly by-election. Tharoor explained that he respected the party's decision and doesn't go where he's not invited. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Despite the snub, he expressed support for the Congress candidate in Nilambur and showed confidence in the campaign efforts of his party colleagues. He said any differences with leadership can be worked out privately and that now is not the time to discuss them publicly. Police probe mystery man Sanjay Verma in Meghalaya honeymoon murder case In the ongoing investigation into the murder of businessman Raja Raghuvanshi during his honeymoon in Meghalaya, police are now looking closely at a man named Sanjay Verma. They discovered that Raja's wife, Sonam, had long and repeated phone conversations with a number registered under this name. But police say Sanjay Verma may not exist, at least not in the way records suggest. With this new line of investigation, police are no longer seeing the case as just a tale of a love triangle. "We are exploring whether someone stood to gain from Raja's death," said East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem. SpaceX starship test ends in massive explosion, no injuries reported A test of SpaceX's Starship rocket ended in an explosion at the company's Texas site. The blast happened during a test of the Super Heavy booster, which is part of the rocket's lower stage. A large fireball and thick smoke were seen rising after the explosion. SpaceX confirmed that there was a 'major anomaly' during the test. Despite the explosion, all staff members were safe, and no injuries were reported. The US Federal Aviation Administration said it would oversee the investigation. SpaceX uses these tests to improve its rockets, which are planned for future space missions, including trips to the Moon and Mars. KL Rahul says it feels strange without Virat and Rohit in team KL Rahul said it feels strange not to have senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the Indian team. He shared this during a media interaction ahead of the India vs England Test series. Rahul mentioned that he has played alongside both for a long time, and now it feels like a big change as a new phase begins in Indian cricket. Rahul also spoke about how cricket is constantly evolving and every team goes through such changes. He said the current team has many young and talented players who are excited and confident. Rahul added that he feels happy to be part of this new journey and is looking forward to supporting the team in this transition.
Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
The 20 second trick that once cost US its prized stealth fighter; can Iran learn it to hunt Israeli jets?
While the Israeli Air Force (IAF) fighters continue to pound targets after targets in Iran, the latter has been claiming to have downed at least four F-35I Adir fifth generation stealth combat aircraft. Iran also boasts of having captured two Israeli fighter pilots with one being a woman. There has been no independent confirmation of the Iranian claims with Israel, too, terming the reports of the F-35 shoot-downs as "fake news". Soon after Iranian media on June 14, 2025, reported that the country's defense forces had shot down two F-35I Adirs, Israel Defense Forces International spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani took to social media to issue a clarification. "Fake News Detector: Iran didn't shoot down any Israeli fighter jets. They are trying to create a fake victory narrative and it's not going very well," the IDF officer posted on X. According to Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), one of the arms of Iranian Armed Forces , the long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system Bavar-373 was used to bring down the F-35 fighters. If Iran's claims are true, it would mark the first-ever combat loss for a fifth generation stealth fighter. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tan Dinh: Unsold Furniture Liquidation 2024 (Prices May Surprise You) Unsold Furniture | Search Ads Learn More But a stealth ground attack aircraft, although not belonging to the fifth generation, was indeed shot out of the sky more than 25 years back. The amazing military feat took place with the first prototype of what would eventually become the F-35 more than a year away from its first test flight, and many years away from entering active service. It was achieved not by employing advanced technologies, but a military officer who was daring, innovative and willing to employ unconventional strategies in pursuit of his mission. Live Events You Might Also Like: Iran claims to have hit Mossad training facility in Herzliya; Israel kills top Iranian military officer What happened with US F-117A Nighthawk stealth attack jet During the Yugoslav civil war in 1999, a North Atlantic Treaty Organization ( NATO ) air patrol come under fire with one US F-117A Nighthawk falling to the ground after a missile hit. Another stealth aircraft was hit during the same campaign and later declared a loss after managing to somehow reach its airbase. The F-117A was world's first stealth combat aircraft. A single pilot, twin-engine jet, the Nighthawk flew only subsonic and was developed as a ground attack aircraft. Deployed in a combat for the first time during the US invasion of Panama in 1989, the F-117A played a big role in the 1991 Gulf War, hitting hundreds of target in Iraq. Its next major deployment was during the Yugoslav civil war in the 1990s when NATO announced its forces were ready to assist in peacekeeping operations and enforce no-fly zones in the conflict-afflicted regions. As part of the deployment, NATO jets carried out bombing campaign against the then Federal Republic of Yugoslavia during the Kosovo War from March 24, 1999, to June 10, 1999. US Air Force 's F-117As also took part in these bombing runs. You Might Also Like: Iran claims it shot down Israeli F-35 stealth fighter but can the undetectable be hit? The truth may shock you How a Yugoslav Army officer tracked and shot down the F-117A US Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Darrell Patrick "Dale" Zelko, taking off from Italy's Aviano airbase on March 27, 1999, was carrying out a bombing run in his F-117A. His call sign was "Vega-31" and the aircraft serial number 82-0806. During his mission, he flew over Belgrade. On the ground, a few miles away from his location, was a unit of the Yugoslavian Army tasked with protecting the ground assets against NATO attacks. Lt. Col Zoltán Dani of the then existing Yugoslav army was in command of the air defense unit which had Soviet Isayev S-125 Neva/ Pechora missile system (NATO reporting name SA-3 Goa) in its arsenal. Yugoslav spies had informed Lt. Col Dani that US F-117As were in the vicinity. And, he was ready for them. Locking on to the stealthy F-117A and then firing a missile to shoot it down was at that time considered next to impossible. The Yugoslav officer was also well aware of the fatal risk of NATO targeting his radars and missile systems. Lt Col Dani goes for the kill He ordered his fellow soldiers to switch on the P-18 radar and emit lower frequencies to find out where the F-117As were. Even though the P-18 radar could not paint the stealth jet accurately, it had the capability to find out the aircraft's location approximately. Just after 20 seconds the radar was switched off as it failed to locate the jet. This was also deliberate strategy as the soldiers knew anything longer and the US jets would be able to find them out. The American High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) and smart bombs were a big threat for the air defense unit. A few minutes later, the radar came online again, and this time too for 20 seconds. Again., no success for Lt Col Dani and his soldiers. Unaware of the Yugoslav air defense unit on the ground, Lt Col Zelko was on his way back to Aviano airbase. The two adversaries had no idea what was in store for them in the next few seconds. With Lt Col Zelko's plane a few miles away, the Yugoslav soldiers switched on the radar once again as they knew that up there somewhere in the skies, the US stealth jets were flying for their mission. It was the third time and once again Lt Col Dani's men had the radar scanning the sky for only 20 seconds. But those 20 seconds proved to be fateful as the F-117A lit up their radar screen at 8:15 pm local time. The weather was poor, the F-117A was about 14 miles (23 km) away but well within range, and there were no fighter escorts. Lt Col Dani was also helped by the fact that NATO jets had been using the same route for their missions since its start three days ago. There was no SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) support for the F-117A, and most importantly, Lt Col Zelko was flying very low. Seeing the enemy jet on his radar screen led Lt Col Dani to order another soldier, Lt Col Dorde Anicic, to fire the S-125 Neva/ Pechora missiles. Within seconds two missiles were in air, chasing the F-117A which was taken by surprise. The 1961 vintage Pechoras with a range of 8 miles (13 km) raced towards the F-117A. Lt Col Zelko was able to perform an evasive maneuver as the one of the Pechoras closed in. The first missile missed the jet but the F-117A was not so lucky with the second. The detonation of the second missile led to shrapnel damaging the aircraft, and along with the shockwaves resulted in the fighter falling to the earth. It was the first-ever combat loss of a stealth aircraft, and a little more than a month later on April 30, 1999, another F-117A was hit by a Yugoslav air defence missile. The plane survived but was never flown again after it managed to land at Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany.
