U.S. President Donald Trump has sent an ultimatum warning demanding unconditional surrender from Iran, amid escalating military clashes between Israel and Iran on the 19th (local time), now in their seventh day.
The Israel Defense Forces announced that they conducted airstrikes on Iran's key strategic facility, the Arak heavy water reactor, on this day. Iranian state TV also acknowledged that the facility was attacked. Arak is a heavy water-based plutonium production facility located about 250 km southwest of the capital Tehran and is classified as sensitive nuclear infrastructure.
Before the attack, Israel warned residents in the Arak area to evacuate. The Israel Defense Forces stated through its official Telegram channel and Persian-language account on social media X (formerly Twitter), "Residents, workers, and those staying must evacuate immediately. Remaining poses a risk to life." Israel also marked a red warning circle on satellite images of the area to indicate the airstrike.
Iranian authorities stated, "All personnel had evacuated before the airstrike, and there has been no radiation leak."
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been requesting Israel to refrain from airstrikes on nuclear facilities. On the 14th of last month, inspectors had visited Arak directly.
Iran also immediately retaliated with missiles. According to reports, Iran launched over 20 missiles, some targeting civilian facilities, including the Soroka Hospital in Be'er Sheva in southern Israel. AFP reported that air raid sirens sounded across Israel that day, and explosions were heard in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
President Trump hinted at the possibility of using force in a national address the day before, stating, "Iran has no choice but to surrender." The conflict between Iran and Israel shows signs of becoming another significant flashpoint in U.S.-Middle East diplomacy.