Israel has warned civilians to evacuate near Iranβs Arak heavy water reactor, raising fears of a strike. The reactor, tied to potential plutonium production, was redesigned under the 2015 nuclear deal. IAEA urges restraint as tensions with Iran escalate.
The Israeli military issued a warning on Thursday urging civilians to evacuate the area surrounding Iranβs Arak heavy water reactor, according to the Associated Press (AP).
The alert was posted on the social media Telegram platform, in Farsi, and included a satellite image of the nuclear plant circled in redβa format consistent with prior warnings that preceded Israeli strikes.
The Arak reactor, located 250 kilometers southwest of Tehran, uses heavy water to cool its nuclear core. While this process supports peaceful energy generation, it also produces plutonium as a byproductβmaterial that could potentially be used to develop nuclear weapons, if Iran chooses to pursue such a path.
Israel issues evacuation warning for people at and near Iran's Arak Nuclear Complex. Airstrikes expected. pic.twitter.com/8EzDUbYdz1
— BNO News Live (@BNODesk) June 19, 2025
π¨ Breaking: Iran confirms that Arak nuclear reactor was destroyed a short while ago pic.twitter.com/ZIS1Nv7WJN
— Dr. Eli David (@DrEliDavid) June 19, 2025
