Satellite tv for pc photos present that every one the tunnel entrances to Iran’s Isfahan nuclear website have been buried below soil, the Washington-based Institute for Science and Worldwide Safety stated in a report revealed Monday, suggesting that the strikes present Tehan is “critically involved” about an assault on the power.
The institute, which lengthy has watched Iran’s nuclear websites, stated the pictures, which have been taken Sunday, present that two of the entrances at the moment are completely lined, whereas the third, northernmost entrance to the complicated additionally has “extra passive protection measures.”
The group stated there isn’t any longer automobile exercise seen on the entrances, and that it seems Iran is fearful about the potential of strikes or a raid by the US or Israel, or each, on the website.
“Backfilling the tunnel entrances would assist dampen any potential airstrike and likewise make floor entry in a particular forces raid to grab or destroy any extremely enriched uranium which may be housed inside tough,” the institute stated, positing that Iran might have moved delicate supplies into the tunnels to assist attempt to shield them.
“Preparations like these have been final noticed within the days earlier than Operation Midnight Hammer struck services at Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan,” the institute added, utilizing a special spelling for the Isfahan website and referring to the US strikes on the three services final June.
“It seems clear that the Iranians are critically involved a few US/Israeli aerial assault and/or raid in opposition to this significantly hardened nuclear facility,” the US-based institute stated.
NEW: Excessive decision satellite tv for pc imagery taken yesterday exhibits the extent to which Iran has lined the tunnel entrances on the Esfahan nuclear complicated with soil. The center and southern entrances are unrecognizable and absolutely lined in soil. The northernmost tunnel entrance which… pic.twitter.com/baYI2zCuN0
— Inst for Science (@TheGoodISIS) February 9, 2026
Previous to Israel launching a 12-day struggle with Iran in June, the Islamic Republic had three main nuclear websites related to its nuclear program. The ability exterior town of Isfahan was identified primarily for producing the uranium fuel that’s fed into centrifuges to be spun and purified.
Throughout final yr’s struggle, Israel focused Isfahan first, adopted by US strikes utilizing bunker-busting bombs and Tomahawk cruise missiles. The US strikes “considerably degraded Iran’s nuclear program,” the White Home’s Nationwide Safety Technique revealed in November stated, although specifics on the injury have been arduous to return by publicly.
Iran has not allowed IAEA inspectors to go to the websites for the reason that assaults.
Satellite tv for pc imagery final month confirmed roofs being constructed at Isfahan, which the Institute for Science and Worldwide Safety stated seemed to be a part of an operation to “recuperate any form of remaining property or rubble with out letting us know what they’re getting out of there.”
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly demanded that Iran negotiate a deal over its nuclear program to avert American navy strikes, which he initially threatened over the nation’s brutal crackdown on protesters, by which 1000’s of individuals have been killed.
Washington has demanded Iran relinquish its stockpile — estimated final yr by the UN nuclear company at greater than 440 kilograms (970 kilos) — of uranium enriched to as much as 60 p.c fissile purity, a small step away from the 90% that’s thought-about weapons grade.
Iran has constantly denied looking for to amass nuclear weapons. Nevertheless, it enriched uranium to ranges that don’t have any peaceable utility, obstructed worldwide inspectors from checking its nuclear services, and expanded its ballistic missile capabilities. Earlier than the 12-day struggle between the nations final June, Israel stated Iran had just lately taken steps towards weaponization.
On the talks in Oman final week, the US and Iran agreed to debate Tehran’s nuclear program, although Washington and Israel additionally wish to put Iran’s ballistic missiles and its assist for proxy terror teams within the area on the agenda. Iran has rejected this.
The date and venue of the subsequent spherical of talks have but to be introduced.
Companies contributed to this report.
