Fortifications and Deep Tunnels Around Nuclear Sites: What Is Iran Doing Beyond Satellites’ View?
European diplomatic sources and Iranian opposition sources said that Iran is conducting extensive fortification work at nuclear facilities and civilian and military sites belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. They said these locations now host activities and equipment associated with the nuclear programme. The information coincides with satellite imagery showing renewed movement at several sites struck during recent confrontations.
According to the sources, fortification work has reached an advanced stage at some locations following the transfer of devices and equipment, including centrifuges, and quantities of enriched uranium from facilities previously bombed during the US-Iran confrontation that erupted after February 28.
The sources said the work includes deep tunnels, reinforced concrete structures and the deployment of air defence systems and radars around the sites. The aim is reportedly to protect them against potential attacks and reduce satellite monitoring of activities inside.
Renewed Activity
The information comes alongside recent satellite images showing renewed activity at the “Minzadehi” site northeast of Tehran, months after an Israeli attack, according to a report by the Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security.
The site was bombed on March 3. Recent images showed regular vehicle movements returning around it following extensive debris clearance and repairs.
According to the sources, activity is not confined to Minzadehi. A European diplomat familiar with Iran’s nuclear dossier described military centres being repurposed to receive equipment and centrifuges from other facilities, including sites in Jondab and Ardakan and the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Centre.
The diplomat said that Tehran had also restored and fortified nuclear facilities and research centres damaged during the twelve-day war and the confrontation lasting approximately forty days.
Nuclear Storage Sites
According to the European source, Iran has installed mobile air defence platforms and anti-missile systems at several previously inactive military centres while repurposing them for new uses.
The source highlighted substantial information gaps concerning Revolutionary Guard sites believed to have become storage locations for centrifuges or enrichment-related equipment. Transferring and operating this technology in facilities not originally designed for it requires complex technical preparations and specialised infrastructure.
The diplomat added that what he described as “enrichment rooms”, containing centrifuges, piping and control and measurement systems, had been secretly transferred to some of these sites in recent months, alongside quantities of enriched uranium. The aim was reportedly to move them away from bombed facilities or sites believed to remain potential targets.
Concealing Activities From Surveillance
An informed Iranian opposition source said nuclear facilities bombed this year had become more exposed to satellite monitoring, making repairs and technical activity easier to track.
The source said that Tehran had consequently begun installing structures, coverings and concrete canopies over parts of certain sites, both to strengthen protection and to reduce visibility of activities inside.
