ALBAWABA - Recent satellite images have revealed renewed activity at two Iranian nuclear sites that were previously struck by Israel and the United States during the June war, underscoring that the confrontation over Iran’s nuclear program is far from over.
According to experts cited by the Associated Press, the construction of new roofs at the damaged facilities does not indicate full-scale reconstruction. Instead, it likely reflects Iranian efforts to assess whether key assets—such as limited stockpiles of highly enriched uranium—survived the airstrikes. The activity also suggests a deliberate attempt by Tehran to conceal any remaining materials and prevent the international community from determining what was recovered or lost.
Images from the Isfahan nuclear research facility show Iran restoring fortified tunnels inside a mountain adjacent to the site. Two tunnels were completely filled in as a precaution against potential missile strikes, while a third tunnel was cleared and fitted with newly built walls at its entrance. Observers say these steps aim to strengthen security and obscure real activity from international monitors.
Sarah Burkhard, a researcher at the Institute for Science and International Security in Washington, explained that the new roofs and tunnel work are intended to allow Iran to retrieve any remaining stockpiles or debris without outside observation.
Similarly, Shaun O’Connor, an analyst with the open-source intelligence firm Janes, said the activity appears designed to hide movement rather than to restore operational use at this stage. “The goal is likely concealment and preparation for later phases, not immediate reconstruction,” he noted.
At the same time, Iran has continued rebuilding its missile program. Satellite imagery shows extensive work at a military site known as Taleghan 2, near Tehran, which Israel destroyed in October 2024.
Previously seized Israeli intelligence documents indicated that the facility housed an explosives chamber and a specialized X-ray system used to study explosive tests—equipment potentially applicable to nuclear weapon development through implosion techniques.
New images reveal large-scale construction, including the installation of a sizable containment vessel that could be used for high-explosive testing, suggesting enhanced resilience against future airstrikes.
While Iran has made no official announcement regarding these activities, the imagery indicates a systematic effort to reorganize nuclear materials, reinforce fortifications, and preserve strategic ambiguity—posing a significant challenge to international monitoring and assessment.
