Israel Strikes Iran’s Arak Nuclear Reactor, Shares Video Proof

Israel Says It Struck Iran’s Arak Nuclear Reactor, Releases Video Evidence

June 19, 2025 | By Mr TPM

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed on Thursday that it had carried out a successful military operation targeting Iran’s controversial nuclear facility in Arak, alleging that the site was being used to develop nuclear weapons.

A video released by the Israeli military appeared to show aerial footage of the reactor before and after the attack. “This nuclear reactor in Arak was created for one purpose: to build a nuclear bomb. It has now been neutralized,” the IDF said in a public statement posted on its official social media channels.

The Israeli military did not disclose the exact methods or timing of the strike, but indicated that the operation was conducted earlier in the day with "minimal risk to civilians."

Iran Confirms Attack, Rejects Allegations

Iranian state media confirmed that the Arak reactor site was struck by “hostile aerial weapons,” resulting in structural damage to some of the facility’s outer buildings. However, Tehran categorically denied that the reactor was being used for military purposes.

“The Arak nuclear reactor has always functioned within the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). These accusations are baseless and politically motivated,” said Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesperson for Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization.

Iranian authorities added that no radioactive material was released as a result of the incident and that the reactor core remains intact. Emergency response teams have been deployed to assess the full extent of the damage.

A Reactor With a Controversial Past

The Arak facility, officially known as the IR-40 reactor, has long been at the center of global scrutiny. Designed as a heavy-water reactor capable of producing weapons-grade plutonium, it was modified under the 2015 nuclear deal (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or JCPOA) to reduce its weapons potential.

Following the United States’ withdrawal from the JCPOA in 2018, Iran gradually rolled back its commitments under the deal, sparking renewed international concern about the country’s nuclear intentions.

Despite repeated inspections and monitoring by the IAEA, Israel has consistently alleged that Iran’s nuclear program is a cover for bomb-making ambitions — a claim Tehran has always denied.

International Reactions and Diplomatic Fallout

The Israeli airstrike has drawn immediate concern from the international community, with multiple global powers calling for restraint.

The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres urged both nations to “exercise maximum restraint” and called for an emergency Security Council meeting to discuss the implications of the attack.

“Any military action targeting nuclear facilities is a matter of serious concern. Such acts could have far-reaching consequences beyond regional borders,” said Guterres.

China and Russia condemned the strike, describing it as a “violation of international norms,” while the European Union urged both countries to return to diplomatic channels.

The United States, a key ally of Israel, has so far not issued an official statement. However, senior U.S. intelligence officials are reported to be in contact with their Israeli and Iranian counterparts.

What Happens Next?

Military analysts warn that Thursday’s strike could lead to a dangerous escalation in hostilities between the two arch-rivals. Iran has vowed to respond “at a time and place of its choosing,” raising concerns about potential retaliatory attacks across the region.

Meanwhile, Israel has raised its security alert level and placed its Iron Dome missile defense systems on high readiness.

“We are fully prepared to defend our people and our sovereignty,” said Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, spokesperson for the IDF.

Iran-backed militia groups in Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon have also issued warnings, threatening reprisals against Israeli and U.S. assets in the Middle East.

Legal and Environmental Concerns

The strike on Arak also raises significant legal and environmental questions. International law generally prohibits attacks on nuclear facilities due to the catastrophic risks involved. While no radiation has been reported, the global community remains wary of the potential for escalation and fallout.

Environmental watchdogs have urged the IAEA to carry out an independent inspection to verify the extent of the damage and ensure that the site remains secure.

Conclusion

Thursday’s strike on the Arak nuclear facility represents one of the most serious escalations in Israeli-Iranian tensions in recent years. As the world watches closely, diplomatic channels are expected to work overtime to prevent further conflict in a region already on edge.

Whether this attack marks a turning point or simply another chapter in a long-running rivalry remains to be seen.