Satellite Imagery Reveals Opaque Activity at Key Iranian Nuclear Sites Amid Rising Tensions
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Fresh satellite imagery has revealed new construction activity at two of Iran's most sensitive nuclear sites, raising concerns about Tehran's intentions as it faces intense international scrutiny over its violent suppression of domestic protests and the stalled nuclear negotiations.
Images from Planet Labs PBC, analyzed by The Associated Press, show that Iran has erected roofs over heavily damaged structures at the uranium enrichment facility in Natanz and the uranium conversion plant in Isfahan. This marks the first significant activity observable by satellite at these sites since they were targeted in a series of Israeli and U.S. airstrikes during a brief conflict last June.
The new coverings effectively blind overhead surveillance, which has become the primary means of monitoring for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) since Iran barred its inspectors from the sites following the attacks. The agency did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the developments.
"This isn't about rebuilding," said Andrea Stricker, a research fellow focusing on Iran's nuclear program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. "The priority appears to be creating a shroud of secrecy to salvage whatever survived the strikes—be it equipment, materials, or data—without the world watching."
The timing is critical. The Biden administration, while continuing to call for a diplomatic solution, has reinforced its naval presence in the region with the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group. Concurrently, Tehran faces relentless domestic unrest, with protesters demanding political reforms and an end to theocratic rule.
Strategic Sites Under Wraps
The Natanz facility, located south of Tehran, was the heart of Iran's uranium enrichment program, housing advanced centrifuges. The Isfahan site was crucial for producing uranium hexafluoride gas, the feedstock for centrifuges. Both suffered catastrophic damage in last year's conflict.
Analysts who reviewed the imagery suggest the roofing is a tactical move. "It allows them to work undisturbed, assessing and recovering high-value assets like remaining stocks of enriched uranium or critical centrifuge components," explained Sean O'Connor, an imagery analyst with Janes. "The goal is opacity, not reconstruction."
Further compounding concerns, satellite evidence indicates ongoing excavation at a site dubbed "Pickaxe Mountain" near Natanz, believed to be for a new, hardened underground facility. Near Isfahan, tunnels have been alternately sealed and reopened, suggesting active efforts to harden sites against future attacks.
Parallel Efforts on Weapons Research
Separate reporting indicates Iran is also rapidly rebuilding a key weapons-related research site at the Parchin military complex, known as "Taleghan 2." Destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in late 2024, the site is associated with high-explosive testing potentially used for nuclear weapon development. Satellite photos show new construction, including what appears to be a large containment vessel.
"The reconstitution is remarkably swift," noted Lewis Smart, a Janes analyst. "The new design seems intended to enhance survivability, and the equipment being installed is consistent with advanced explosive testing."
These developments present a stark challenge to the international community. They suggest Iran is simultaneously working to recover its pre-war nuclear capabilities, harden its infrastructure, and advance sensitive research—all while blocking independent verification.
Voices from the Region:
"This is a classic case of Tehran playing for time while advancing its capabilities under cover," said David Chen, a security analyst based in Singapore. "The roofing is a physical metaphor for their entire strategy: conceal, recover, and advance."
"It's utterly infuriating," exclaimed Maya Rosenberg, a former UN sanctions monitor now with a European think tank. "The world is distracted by the protests, and the regime is exploiting that to literally bury its most dangerous work. This isn't ambiguity; it's a deliberate march towards a weapon, and the IAEA is being left in the dark."
"The technical assessment is clear," added Khalid Al-Mansouri, an energy policy researcher in Abu Dhabi. "However, we must be cautious. This activity could be for legitimate salvage and safety, or it could be more nefarious. Without inspections, we are left with worrisome speculation, which itself escalates tensions."
"The parallel rebuilding at Parchin is the real tell," argued James O'Donnell, a professor of non-proliferation studies. "It points to a coordinated, full-spectrum effort to regenerate the entire program—both the civilian-fuel cycle and the military application research—with a greater focus on survivability."
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