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Satellite images showing recent activity around two Iranian nuclear sites bombed by Israel and the United States last year suggest Iran is scrambling to obtain material from the area.
But despite Iran’s salvaging efforts, experts say there is no recovery for its nuclear program after the attack.
Some recovery work has been done since the US damage, but “there are no signs that it’s back to work in any significant way,” Joseph Rogers said. Deputy director and with the project on nuclear issues Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
“There are no scientists going in and working significantly in these sites. There’s not a lot of activity. And the activity we’re seeing has nothing to do with the nuclear program.”
New satellite images from Earth-imaging company Planet Labs PBC show roofs on two damaged buildings at facilities in Isfahan and Natanz. It was the first major satellite activity seen at the country’s nuclear sites since Israel’s 12-day war with Iran in June.
The Natanz site, 220 kilometers south of the capital, is a mix of underground and underground laboratories that have carried out most of Iran’s uranium enrichment.
Pictures on this site show that Iran has covered the anti-drone container said Spencer Faragasso, Senior Associate, Pilot Fueling Plant with Panel Roof. Institute of Science and International Security.
“We have assessed that this was done to hide the activities that are being done in the base. It is to close the eyes of the peer who is part of the rescue and recovery operation,” he said.
Iran is looking for any material or weapons left over from the attack, including recoverable highly enriched uranium, Faragasso said.
The second site, outside the city of Isfahan, is mainly known for the production of uranium gas for enrichment in centrifuges.
A Jan. 29 report co-authored by Faragasso for the institute said satellite images showed “significantly increased” vehicular activity on the road leading to the tunnel entrance during construction.
He said the report was based on satellite images. Recent activity related to the reburial of the south end and middle entrances has been observed.
According to the report, a new roof was built on the steel frame of the destroyed building. Iran has decided to protect the structure and the work may be related to the production of centrifuges.
Faragasso told CBC News that the move “seems to be another effort to recover the remaining weapons to help restore enrichment capacity.”
He said Iran may be committed to rebuilding its nuclear capabilities, but restoring the facilities will require significant time, resources and investment.
“Go back a long way.”
It includes Ford’s site A strong enrichment facility built under the mountain.
The amount of damage caused by the attack – debris and damaged infrastructure – Faragasso said that it is possible to make a more accurate assessment of whether the institutions are working.
“Iran’s nuclear program is significantly behind schedule. Its enrichment program is virtually non-existent,” he said.
Joseph S., a senior fellow in image analysis at CSIS. Bermudez Jr. Iran said. It seems to be at the point where he hasn’t even cleared the debris.
He said they don’t particularly see the rebuilt roofs as a big deal. The observed limited movement of vehicles and personnel indicates that the areas are heavily damaged.
“There is no significant evidence at the three sites to reconstruct a significant scientific effort or military effort,” he said.
however, Bermudez Jr. said satellites can’t show what’s underground, so it’s unclear what activity might be going on there.
Rogers from CSIS said there is a lot that satellite images cannot show.
For example, Iran is believed to have 460.9 kilograms of 60 percent enriched uranium, but “it is not clear where the uranium is stored,” he said.
Iran’s foreign minister has called the first round of indirect talks with US officials over Iran’s nuclear program a ‘good start’. But neighboring countries are concerned that a US military strike could trigger a wider regional war.
Rogers said before the U.S. strike in June, Iran was going to have the International Atomic Energy Agency inspect what it believed to be a third enriched site — near Isfahan — in addition to Fordow and Natanz.
“The key takeaway is that Iran still has (highly enriched uranium) reserves and is nearing completion of a third enrichment site,” he said.
“We don’t know how close it is to being done. It may not be ready at all. It may be under construction. It’s unclear.”