IDF urges immediate evacuation of central Iranian cities

On the morning of June 19, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) issued an emergency warning urging residents of central Iran to evacuate immediately, specifically those living near the cities of Arak and Khondab.

According to a statement published on the IDF’s Farsi-language X account, the Israeli military is continuing its operations inside Iran, with airstrikes targeting what it described as key elements of the regime's military infrastructure.

“We strongly advise residents to evacuate the designated zone near the cities of Arak and Khondab as soon as possible. Remaining in the area puts your life at severe risk,” the IDF warned.

The notice was accompanied by a satellite image, which marked in red the area around the Arak nuclear complex — a site that has long drawn concern from Western governments.

The facility is associated with heavy water (deuterium oxide) production, which can be used in the creation of plutonium, offering an alternative path to nuclear weapons development.

By Tamilla Hasanova