IAEA says Iran’s Khondab heavy water plant was severely damaged and is now out of operation after March 27 strikes.
The United Nations nuclear watchdog confirmed on March 30 that Iran ’s Khondab heavy water production plant has been knocked out of operation following coordinated strikes by US and Israeli forces on March 27.
The assessment, based on satellite imagery and technical analysis, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing West Asia conflict and raises fresh concerns about nuclear infrastructure in the region.UN watchdog confirms severe damageThe International Atomic Energy Agency said the Khondab facility sustained significant damage and is no longer operational. Its conclusion relied on independent satellite analysis and prior technical knowledge of the site.“Based on independent analysis of satellite imagery and knowledge of the installation, the IAEA has confirmed the heavy water production plant at Khondab, which Iran reported had been attacked on 27 March, has sustained severe damaged and is no longer operational. The installation contains no declared nuclear material,” the agency stated.Based on independent analysis of satellite imagery and knowledge of the installation, the IAEA has confirmed the heavy water production plant at Khondab, which Iran reported had been attacked on 27 March, has sustained severe damaged and is no longer operational. The installation… pic.twitter.com/omnomOmsNQ— IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency ⚛️ March 29, 2026The plant is located near Arak, central Iran, and is part of the broader nuclear complex, often referred to as the Arak facility. While no radioactive material was reported at the site, the extent of physical destruction has effectively halted operations.Why the Khondab site mattersThe Khondab plant produces heavy water, a material used to cool certain types of nuclear reactors. These reactors can generate plutonium as a byproduct, which can be used in nuclear weapons.Construction of the Arak reactor began in the early 2000s but was paused under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. As part of that deal, the reactor core was removed and filled with concrete to limit proliferation risks. The facility was then reclassified for medical isotope production.Despite these changes, experts have long warned that the original design could allow the production of weapons-grade plutonium if restored. This has kept the site under close international monitoring for years.Israeli strikes expand to other facilitiesThe Israel Defense Forces confirmed it carried out the strike as part of a broader military campaign. The operation, named “Rising Lion,” targeted multiple nuclear-linked facilities across Iran.According to Israeli officials, the Khondab plant was a critical component in Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. The military claimed intelligence showed attempts to restore the facility’s original capabilities.🎯 STRUCK: Arak Heavy Water Plant in Central Iran—A Key Plutonium Production Site for Nuclear WeaponsThe IDF will not allow the Iranian regime to continue advancing its nuclear weapons program, which poses an existential threat to Israel and the entire world. pic.twitter.com/wdFQ03TQZr— Israel Defense Forces March 27, 2026“The IDF will not allow the Iranian regime to continue advancing its nuclear weapons programme, which poses an existential threat,” the statement said.In addition to Khondab, Israeli forces also struck a uranium processing facility in Yazd. The military described it as a unique site involved in the production of raw materials needed for uranium enrichment.Iranian state media reported no casualties or radiation leaks following the attacks.Wider conflict intensifies across regionThe strikes are part of a larger air campaign launched by the US and Israel on February 28. The operation has resulted in more than 1,340 deaths, including Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.In response, Iran has launched drone and missile attacks targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and several Gulf nations hosting US military bases. The exchanges have significantly increased tensions across West Asia.The destruction of the Khondab plant adds a new layer to the conflict, as nuclear facilities remain among the most sensitive and closely watched targets. While no immediate radiological risks have been reported, the long-term implications for regional stability and nuclear oversight remain uncertain.
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