Iran is racing to defend key nuclear services beneath concrete and earth, reworking them into hardened bunkers as US navy strain builds within the area, in keeping with new satellite tv for pc evaluation by the Institute for Science and Worldwide Safety.
The Washington-based nonproliferation watchdog mentioned high-resolution imagery exhibits fast efforts to bury and reinforce delicate websites, elevating contemporary considerations about Tehran’s nuclear ambitions whilst diplomatic talks proceed.
Over the “final two to 3 weeks, Iran has been busy burying the brand new Taleghan 2 facility on the Parchin navy advanced with soil,” the institute mentioned in its newest evaluation.
CONCRETE SARCOPHAGUS AT PARCHIN
On the Taleghan 2 facility contained in the Parchin navy advanced, about 30 kilometers southeast of Tehran, satellite tv for pc imagery from February 13 exhibits a accomplished concrete shell round the principle construction. Soil is now being piled over it.
“The ability could quickly develop into a totally unrecognisable bunker, offering vital safety from aerial strikes,” warned ISIS president David Albright.
Imagery signifies that after the concrete sarcophagus hardened, “Iran didn’t hesitate to maneuver soil over massive components of the brand new facility.” Earth piles accumulating on close by hills are doubtless supposed to additional bury the construction, leaving solely restricted entrance portals seen.
The positioning is enclosed by excessive safety partitions. A concrete batch plant contained in the perimeter seems devoted to ongoing fortification.
The institute mentioned the brand new building indicators “the strategic significance of the ability to the Iranian regime,” although its exact function can’t be decided from imagery alone.
TUNNELS HARDENED NEAR NATANZ
Further satellite tv for pc pictures from February 10 present efforts to harden tunnel entrances below Kolang-Gaz La Mountain, roughly two kilometers from the Natanz nuclear facility.
Concrete is being poured over an prolonged western tunnel entrance. At an japanese portal, rock and soil have been pushed again and leveled to permit further overburden — further layers of rock, soil or concrete to soak up the power of potential airstrikes.
“These efforts strengthen the tunnel portals and supply further safety in opposition to an airstrike,” the institute mentioned.
Smaller closed-roof automobiles have additionally been noticed close to the entrances, suggesting inside outfitting could also be underway. Prior to now, Iran linked building there to rebuilding a complicated centrifuge meeting plant. Nonetheless, the dimensions of the advanced and its mountain cowl “raised quick concern whether or not further delicate actions are deliberate, akin to uranium enrichment.”
CONCEALMENT AT ESFAHAN
On the Esfahan nuclear advanced, one other enrichment web site beforehand bombed by the US, imagery from February 8 exhibits obvious efforts to hide tunnel entrances.
The effectiveness of those measures in opposition to highly effective airstrikes stays unclear primarily based on present intelligence.
AIR DEFENSES REACTIVATED
Since final yr’s battle, energetic defenses at Parchin have additionally been upgraded. Iran reactivated an deserted anti-aircraft artillery web site in July 2025 and added two new anti-aircraft positions in July and August.
The put in programs look like anti-aircraft artillery, additional reinforcing the defensive posture across the web site.
The institute famous that Parchin traditionally performed a job in nuclear weapons–associated work throughout Iran’s Amad Plan, together with neutron initiator improvement and multipoint initiation experiments as much as at the least 2004.
Whereas negotiations between Washington and Tehran proceed — with US officers anticipating contemporary proposals from Iran within the coming weeks — the satellite tv for pc imagery suggests Tehran is concurrently fortifying infrastructure tied to its nuclear programme.
The development, the institute concluded, signifies “its strategic significance,” even when its final operate stays unsure.
– Ends
With inputs from businesses
Tune In
