Israel hits Iran’s Arak heavy water reactor: A closer look at the reactor at the heart of global concern
Tucked away in Iran’s western Markazi province, the Arak Nuclear Complex has long stood at the centre of global nuclear scrutiny. Roughly 280 kilometres from Tehran, this facility houses a heavy water reactor capable of producing weapons-grade plutonium as a byproduct—raising red flags despite Iran’s claims of peaceful intent. As geopolitical tensions persist, Arak remains both a technical feat and a diplomatic fault line.
- Jun 19, 2025,
- Updated Jun 19, 2025 6:34 PM IST
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Iran started secretly developing a Heavy Water Research Reactor in 2003 after several nuclear suppliers rejected its requests in the 1990s. The complex includes a heavy water experimental reactor and a heavy water production plant
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The reactor can produce weapons-grade plutonium, a potential alternative to uranium enrichment for making nuclear bombs.
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In 2015, Iran struck a deal with world powers to redesign the facility in exchange for sanctions relief.
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The U.S. unilaterally withdrew from the nuclear deal in 2018 under President Trump
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Following the US exit, the UK stepped in to assist Iran with redesigning the reactor to limit plutonium output.
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Iran launched the reactor’s secondary circuit in 2019, edging closer to potential weapons capabilities without violating the 2015 agreement.
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Iran also agreed to sell its heavy water to western countries to comply with the nuclear accord.
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Israel reportedly targeted the Arak facility to prevent plutonium production, according to its military.
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Iran continues to enrich uranium up to 60%, just below the 90% threshold for weapons-grade material.
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Details regarding the development of the facility have been murky, with reports of foreign experts, including Russia, contributing to the construction.