Israel launches attackon Iran’s Khondab heavy water facility, ISNA reports

An area near Iran’s Khondab heavy water facility, part of the country’s nuclear programme, was struck in an Israeli attack, the Iranian Student News Agency (ISNA) reported on Thursday.

The facility, formerly known as the Arak reactor, is still under construction, with Iran informing the UN nuclear watchdog of plans to begin operations next year.

According to officials, the site was evacuated in advance of the strike, and there is no risk of radiation. 

The report issued in the Farsi language warning from the Israeli military urging residents of Arak and Khondab to evacuate, signalling a potential escalation.

The Khondab facility, central to Iran's nuclear research, has been a point of concern in past negotiations.

#Iran's state TV: "Around 6 AM (Thursday), an attack on the Khondab #nuclear facility occurred. Two projectiles were fired at the facility, while the rest were repelled by air defense. Due to predictions made, there is no radiation." https://t.co/E7gBte45Jj pic.twitter.com/uOpi3HG7W7

— Iran Nuances (@IranNuances) June 19, 2025

Earlier on Thursday, Iran activated its air defence systems around Tehran to intercept drones approaching the outskirts of the capital, according to the semi-official SNN news agency.

Additionally, Iranian media reported the arrest of 18 “enemy agents” in the northeastern city of Mashhad, accusing them of manufacturing drones intended for Israeli attacks.

In a video statement, released by the Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's office on Wednesday, he stated that Israel is "moving forward gradually" in its efforts to neutralise the threats from Iran’s nuclear facilities and ballistic missile program.

“We are hitting the nuclear sites, the missiles, the headquarters, the symbols of the regime,” Netanyahu added. 

Israel is the only country in the Middle East that has nuclear weapons, and it’s also a part of the International Non-Proliferation Treaty.