By Moshi Garadi — Tel Aviv 

The Israeli military announced Thursday that it has carried out a targeted airstrike that destroyed Iran’s Arak nuclear reactor, a heavy-water facility long suspected of contributing to Iran’s controversial nuclear program.

In a statement released by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), military officials claimed the strike was part of a broader campaign to “dismantle Iran’s capacity to develop nuclear weapons,” amid heightened regional tensions. The statement emphasized that “surgical precision” was used in the operation to minimize civilian casualties and environmental fallout.

“The Arak reactor represented a critical component in Iran’s ability to produce plutonium,” said an IDF spokesperson. “Its destruction is a significant step in neutralizing the nuclear threat posed by Tehran.”

Iranian state media confirmed an attack on the Arak facility but disputed the extent of the damage. Authorities in Tehran asserted that the site had been evacuated prior to the strike and that no nuclear material had been compromised. “There is no risk of radioactive leakage,” said a spokesperson for Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization.

The strike comes amid escalating hostilities between the two nations, with Iran launching a series of drone and missile attacks on Israeli cities earlier this week. The United Nations has called for restraint on both sides, warning that further military escalation could destabilize the broader Middle East.

International reaction has been swift. The U.S. Department of State urged de-escalation, while European Union officials expressed concern over the potential collapse of what remains of the 2015 nuclear deal.

The Arak reactor, originally designed to produce weapons-grade plutonium, was a focal point in global negotiations aimed at limiting Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Though modified under the terms of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), its role remained a subject of international scrutiny.

This latest development raises fresh questions about the future of diplomatic efforts surrounding Iran’s nuclear program and adds another flashpoint to an already volatile region.