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🇪🇬 Egypt /Energy & Infrastructure

Concerns Rise Over Iran's 'Amad Project' as Building Activity Reported at Nuclear Sites

From Al-Masry Al-Youm · () Arabic

Translated from Arabic, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Satellite images reveal Iran is rebuilding a facility suspected of nuclear weapons research at the Talqan 2 site within the sensitive Parchin military complex.
  • The rebuilding efforts, which include repairing and fortifying the site, may violate a recent understanding with the US to freeze Iran's nuclear program.
  • Separate concerns are raised about ongoing construction at an underground facility in the Zagros Mountains, known as Mount Axe, which has not been inspected by the IAEA.

Exclusive satellite imagery has revealed Iran is rebuilding the Talqan 2 facility, a site suspected of being used for nuclear weapons research. The facility is located within the sensitive Parchin military complex, south-east of Tehran. This development comes despite an agreement with the Trump administration requiring Iran to maintain the status quo and freeze its nuclear program.

The Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) in Washington analyzed the images, confirming significant repair and fortification work at the site. Early June photos showed Iranian teams assessing damage and temporarily covering three blast holes from previous incidents. More recent images show ongoing work to permanently seal these holes and enhance the facility's defensive systems.

ISIS analysis suggests these activities could directly violate a memorandum of understanding reached between the US and Iran in June. Under this agreement, Tehran pledged not to acquire or develop nuclear weapons and to halt its nuclear program for 60 days while a final agreement was sought. In return, the US committed to refraining from imposing new sanctions during negotiations.

The facility was used to develop advanced explosives and conduct sensitive tests related to the 'Amad' project, Iran's secret military nuclear program years ago.

— Israeli officials, cited by Yedioth AhronothThis quote provides context on the historical significance and suspected purpose of the Talqan 2 facility.

Israeli officials, cited by Hebrew media, believe the facility was used for advanced explosives development and sensitive tests related to "Amad," Iran's former secret military nuclear program. The site is part of the Parchin complex, one of Iran's largest and most sensitive military industrial sites, involved in manufacturing and storing warheads, rocket engines, and other weaponry.

Additionally, ISIS issued a separate warning about continued construction at a secret underground complex in the Zagros Mountains, known as the "Mount Axe" facility. This site has not yet been inspected by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). June satellite images showed vehicle traffic on roads leading to the western tunnel entrances, indicating ongoing work and fortification of the entrances. ISIS stated that the clause in the US-Iran memorandum regarding maintaining the nuclear status quo strictly prohibits any new construction at nuclear-related facilities, including Mount Axe.

The clause on maintaining the nuclear status quo in the US-Iran memorandum of understanding strictly prohibits any new construction at any facility related to nuclear activities, including the 'Mount Axe' site.

— Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS)This quote explains how the ongoing construction at Mount Axe potentially violates the terms of the US-Iran understanding.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Al-Masry Al-Youm in Arabic. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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