IAEA Confirms Israeli Strike Damages Iran's Khondab Plant

The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed on March 29 that Iran's heavy water production plant at Khondab, near the central city of Arak, sustained severe damage in a strike on March 27 and is no longer operational. The facility, a key part of Iran's nuclear infrastructure, was targeted in an operation attributed to the Israel Defense Forces, amid an escalating conflict in the region.

The IAEA's assessment relied on independent analysis of satellite imagery and detailed knowledge of the site. The agency noted that the installation contained no declared nuclear material, and Iranian reports indicated no casualties or radiation leaks from the attack. The Khondab plant produces heavy water, which is used to moderate nuclear reactions in reactors like the nearby IR-40, potentially enabling plutonium production as a pathway to nuclear weapons if reconfigured.

Israeli military officials confirmed responsibility for the strike, describing it as part of a broader campaign called Operation Rising Lion to disrupt Iran's nuclear advancements. In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces said the action targeted a site capable of supporting weapons-grade plutonium production, asserting...