TEHRAN: Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI) has confirmed that Israel carried out an attack on the Khondab research reactor and heavy water complex, calling it a “renewed and grave violation of international law,” according to a report.
The Khondab facility, located in the central Markazi province near Arak, plays a key role in Iran’s nuclear program, particularly in heavy water production, which is used in certain types of nuclear reactors. The site has long been under scrutiny by Western governments due to its potential use in producing plutonium, a material that can be used for nuclear weapons.
According to the AEOI, the attack did not result in any casualties, and thanks to “preemptive security and safety arrangements,” there is no danger to the surrounding population or environment. The statement noted that emergency protocols were enacted immediately following the strike, and damage assessment is ongoing.
The AEOI also criticised the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for what it described as inaction in the face of repeated warnings about Israeli threats. “We have repeatedly alerted the IAEA to Israeli intentions and past actions targeting our peaceful nuclear infrastructure,” the organisation said. “However, the agency has so far failed to take any meaningful steps to prevent such aggressions.”
The Iranian government has vowed to raise the issue in international forums, arguing that the attack constitutes a violation of the UN Charter and international agreements that protect nuclear facilities operating under IAEA oversight.
There has been no official response from the Israeli government, which maintains a long-standing policy of strategic ambiguity regarding attacks on Iranian nuclear infrastructure. However, Israeli officials have repeatedly warned that they will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons capability and have taken credit for past cyber and kinetic operations against Iranian nuclear sites.
The incident marks a significant escalation in an already tense regional environment, coming just days after Israeli airstrikes targeted other strategic locations across Iran amid rising fears of a broader confrontation. Analysts warn that continued attacks on nuclear facilities could destabilise the region further and derail any remaining diplomatic efforts around Iran’s nuclear program.
Iran continues to assert that its nuclear activities are purely for civilian purposes, including medical research and energy production — a claim disputed by Israel and several Western nations.
The IAEA has not yet issued a formal statement on the reported attack.
