Israeli Strike on Iraq's Osirak Reactor (1981)
Israeli F-16s destroyed Iraq's Osirak nuclear reactor near Baghdad, killing 10 Iraqi soldiers and one French technician. Prime Minister Menachem Begin justified the strike under what became known as the Begin Doctrine: Israel would not allow adversaries to acquire nuclear weapons.
The reactor was destroyed. Iraq condemned the attack; the UN Security Council unanimously censured Israel.
Iraq accelerated clandestine nuclear efforts, dispersing and hiding facilities. Some analysts argue the strike delayed Iraq's program; others contend it prompted a more determined and harder-to-detect effort.
Israel's June 2025 strikes on Iran echo the Begin Doctrine. The Osirak precedent shows that military action can set back timelines but may not eliminate intent or capability—and can drive programs underground.