US and Israeli strikes hit Iran's Arak heavy water site and Ardakan uranium plant

Insights

• Airstrikes targeted the Khondab heavy water facility near Arak and the Ardakan uranium processing plant in Yazd.
• Iranian authorities reported no casualties, no structural damage, and no release of radioactive material.
• Khondab IR-40 is a 40 megawatt heavy water research reactor that can produce plutonium as a byproduct and includes a heavy water production plant.
• Ardakan produces yellowcake, a concentrated uranium compound used in early stages of fuel processing.
• Israel described Arak as a key plutonium site and Ardakan as a unique plant for raw materials for enrichment, and the strikes came amid ongoing regional hostilities since late February.