Israel strikes unfinished Arak heavy water reactor in Iran

On the seventh day of escalating conflict, Israeli jets bombed Iran’s Arak nuclear reactor, claiming it was part of a covert nuclear weapons program. The reactor, under reconstruction per the 2015 nuclear deal, was reportedly hit at its core seal. The IAEA confirmed the strike but said no nuclear material was present. Israel also targeted Iran’s Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites, damaging key uranium enrichment facilities. Iran denied any weapons ambitions and condemned the attacks as illegal, the BBC has reported. The strikes have killed hundreds in Iran, while Iran has retaliated with ballistic missile attacks on Israel, killing at least 24 people.