SRINAGAR: Iranian state television reported that Israel attacked the Arak heavy water reactor early Thursday. The facility, located about 155 miles southwest of Tehran, had been evacuated before the strike following a warning issued by the Israeli military on social media. Iranian officials said there was “no radiation danger whatsoever” and that no damage occurred to civilian areas surrounding the reactor.
The Arak reactor has long been a focal point in international nuclear negotiations, as heavy water reactors can produce plutonium suitable for nuclear weapons. Under the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran was required to redesign the facility for non-military purposes, but recent years have seen diminished international oversight.
The attack on Arak is part of Israel’s ongoing campaign targeting Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure, which has included strikes on sites at Natanz, Isfahan, and Tehran. According to human rights monitors, at least 639 people, including 263 civilians, have been killed in Iran over the past week, with more than 1,300 wounded.
Iranian Missile Hits Israeli Hospital
In retaliation, Iran launched a new barrage of missiles at Israel. One missile struck the Soroka Medical Center in Beer Sheba, Israel’s principal hospital in the south, causing “extensive damage” to multiple sections of the facility. Hospital officials confirmed that at least 40 people were wounded in the attack.
The missile strike on the hospital underscores the intensifying tit-for-tat attacks between the two countries. Iranian missile and drone attacks over the past week have killed at least 24 people in Israel and wounded hundreds, with several strikes hitting residential buildings and civilian infrastructure.
Ongoing Escalation
Thursday’s developments mark the seventh consecutive day of direct military exchanges between Israel and Iran. The Israeli military has indicated that the latest round of airstrikes targeted not only Arak but also sites in Tehran and other regions of Iran. Iran’s supreme leader has rejected U.S. calls for surrender, warning that any American intervention would have grave consequences.
Israel, meanwhile, has lifted some restrictions on daily life, suggesting a slight easing of the immediate missile threat. However, both sides show no sign of de-escalation, and international observers warn of the risk of further regional destabilization.
