Israel ‘targets’ sites near Isfahan: What we know about the city

Recently, Iran had also announced the building a fourth nuclear research reactor in the city, days after announcing the construction a new nuclear power plant complex in the south of the country. (Reuters Photo)

Following this, multiple airlines started diverting their flights and Iran, too, later announced that it was grounding commercial flights in Tehran and across areas of its western and central regions.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi had warned Israel before Friday’s strike that Tehran would deliver a “severe response” to any attack on its territory.

What we know about Isfahan

The central city of Isfahan in Iran is home to Iran’s major air base and is also a nuclear site. According to news agency AP, the facility at Isfahan operates three small Chinese-supplied research reactors, as well as handles fuel production and other activities for the country’s civilian nuclear program.

Recently, Iran had also announced the building a fourth nuclear research reactor in the city, days after announcing the construction a new nuclear power plant complex in the south of the country. “Today, the process of pouring concrete for the foundation of the reactor started at the Isfahan site,” Mohammad Eslami, head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, was quoted as saying by state news agency IRNA, DW reported.

According to the report, IRNA had described the new reactor as a “research reactor”, and said that it would have a variety of applications, including fuel and nuclear material tests and the production of industrial radioisotopes and radiopharmaceuticals.

Isfahan, a city with a population of over 2 million, is also a cultural and historical centre. Located halfway between the Zagros Mountains and the Iranian desert, Isfahan also historically served as a crossroads for trade routes.

(Nandika Mishra is an intern with indianexpress.com)