The Institute for Science and International Security, a U.S.-based organization, reported on Monday, based on the latest satellite images, that Iran has taken new measures to fortify the Isfahan nuclear facility against a potential attack by Israel and the United States. The institute said Iran had carried out similar actions prior to the U.S. attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities in June.
According to the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS), based on high-resolution satellite images recorded on Sunday, Iran has covered the entrances of the Isfahan nuclear facility’s tunnels with soil.
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According to the report, the central and southern entrances of the nuclear facility, which were targeted in the U.S. June attacks known as “Operation Midnight Hammer,” have been completely buried under soil to the point that they are no longer identifiable. The northern tunnel entrance, which has more extensive passive defense measures, has also been filled with soil and blocked.
According to the Institute for Science and International Security, in light of these measures, it appears that the Iranian regime is deeply concerned about U.S. and Israeli airstrikes and ground assaults against these fortified nuclear facilities.
According to the report, filling the tunnel entrances with soil can reduce the impact of any potential air attack.
This protective measure would also make it difficult for commandos, in the event of a potential raid, to access the core of the facility, which may be where Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpiles are stored.
According to the institute, it is also possible that Iran has moved equipment and materials into the tunnels for protection. However, this cannot be confirmed.
The Institute for Science and International Security, which works on countering nuclear proliferation and monitors Iran’s actions at nuclear facilities, added that the Iranian regime last took such measures in the days preceding the U.S. June attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities known as “Operation Midnight Hammer.”
In this operation, which was carried out in the middle of the twelve-day war between Iran and Israel, the United States targeted the Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear facilities with bunker-buster bombs and cruise missiles.
Since then, the fate of Iran’s uranium stockpiles enriched up to 60% has remained unclear.
This report was published as representatives of the Iranian regime and the United States met in Muscat, the capital of Oman, for the first time since the twelve-day war, with the aim of resuming nuclear negotiations. According to officials from both sides, one of the key issues in these talks is the fate of these uranium stockpiles.
Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of the Iranian regime, announced on Monday, February 9, that if “all sanctions” against Iran are lifted, Tehran is prepared to “dilute” its uranium enriched up to 60%.
