IAEA: Iran's Khondab heavy water reactor damaged in Israeli strike

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Friday confirmed that the main structure of Iran's Khondab (also known as Arak) heavy water reactor sustained damage after Israel launched strikes targeting the area the previous day.

Israel on Thursday issued evacuation warnings to residents in the Arak area in central Iran before striking it. The area houses nuclear sites under construction, including a heavy water processing plant and a nuclear reactor.

Iran said the area housing the Khondab nuclear facility was struck by air strikes earlier that morning, but the facility itself was not damaged in the attack.

Also on Thursday, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi cautioned against using the agency's findings on Iran's nuclear program as a basis for any military action.

"Military action, from wherever it comes, is a political decision that has nothing to do with what we're saying," he told CNN.