Satellite Imagery Shows Possible High-Explosives Containment Vessel at Taleghan 2, a Former AMAD Plan Nuclear Weapons Development Site
Recent satellite imagery of Taleghan 2, a former nuclear weapons development site established under the AMAD Plan shows ongoing construction and the presence of what appears to resemble a long, cylindrical chamber, maybe a high-explosives containment vessel, likely measuring approximately 36 meters long and 12 meters in diameter placed inside a building measuring roughly 40 meters long and 17 meters wide.
Canadian-Based Company Fined by U.S. Commerce Department for Hiding U.S. Exports to Iran
Canada-based biotechnology company Luminultra illegally exported from its Maryland-based production facility three Photonmaster luminometers and 25 aqueous test kits valuing $33,438 USD to Iran on October 21, 2022. Under instructions from the Iranian buyer, and hopes of future sales to the Iranian market, Luminultra agreed to falsify export declarations and ship the items from the United States via the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Iran. Under further instructions from the Iranian buyer, Luminultra received payment at a Canadian bank in Canadian dollars specifically to avoid payment for the shipment in USD and through a US bank.
New Construction Identified at Taleghan 2, a Former AMAD Plan Nuclear Weapons Development Site
New construction activity, which began before the June 12-Day War and continued afterwards, has been occurring at the former Taleghan 2 site, which was destroyed by an Israeli bombing on October 25th, 2024. Starting around mid-May, efforts were made to rebuild the structure destroyed in the October 2024 attack. Satellite imagery from May 20, 2025, shows a black temporary cover that had been hastily installed over the destroyed building (see Figure 1). By June 12, 2025, imagery shows ground preparations and the laying of foundations in front of the temporary reconstructed cover building (see Figure 2). The site was not bombed during the 12-Day War.
Imagery Update on the Esfahan Tunnel Complex
In imagery dated to late September and early October all three tunnel entrances show recent or ongoing activity to different extent. However, the visible activity does not indicate a dash to remove possible centrifuge or enriched uranium stocks inside the tunnel complex; rather it points more towards preparing controlled and secure access to two of the three tunnel entrances, and hardening the entrances and utilities against future strikes.
Featured
Satellite Imagery Shows Possible High-Explosives Containment Vessel at Taleghan 2, a Former AMAD Plan Nuclear Weapons Development Site
Recent satellite imagery of Taleghan 2, a former nuclear weapons development site established under the AMAD Plan shows ongoing construction and the presence of what appears to resemble a long, cylindrical chamber, maybe a high-explosives containment vessel, likely measuring approximately 36 meters long and 12 meters in diameter placed inside a building measuring roughly 40 meters long and 17 meters wide.
New Construction Identified at Taleghan 2, a Former AMAD Plan Nuclear Weapons Development Site
New construction activity, which began before the June 12-Day War and continued afterwards, has been occurring at the former Taleghan 2 site, which was destroyed by an Israeli bombing on October 25th, 2024. Starting around mid-May, efforts were made to rebuild the structure destroyed in the October 2024 attack. Satellite imagery from May 20, 2025, shows a black temporary cover that had been hastily installed over the destroyed building (see Figure 1). By June 12, 2025, imagery shows ground preparations and the laying of foundations in front of the temporary reconstructed cover building (see Figure 2). The site was not bombed during the 12-Day War.
Imagery Update on the Esfahan Tunnel Complex
In imagery dated to late September and early October all three tunnel entrances show recent or ongoing activity to different extent. However, the visible activity does not indicate a dash to remove possible centrifuge or enriched uranium stocks inside the tunnel complex; rather it points more towards preparing controlled and secure access to two of the three tunnel entrances, and hardening the entrances and utilities against future strikes.
Employing Science in the Pursuit of Peace
The Institute for Science and International Security is a non-profit, non-partisan institution dedicated to informing the public about science and policy issues affecting international security.
LEARN MORE
Media & Education
Global Studies
A collection of non-proliferation studies conducted by the Institute on groups of countries, their non-proliferation commitments, fissile material stocks, and assessments of global non-proliferation efforts and events.
LEARN MOREInstitute Books
A collection of Institute books on various countries' nuclear weapons programs, illicit trade, and fissile material production.
LEARN MOREPosts & Reactions
Inst for Science
Satellite imagery taken by Maxar, now Vantor, and Airbus at the end of September and early October shows activity at the Esfahan tunnel entrances. As of September 26, the second of three entrances (the middle entrance) which was previously blocked by earth and rubble has been cleared leaving the tunnel portal’s door visible. Heavy machinery visible in front of this entrance as well as the northernmost entrance on September 30th indicates that rather than rushing to get inside the tunnels, Iran is preparing controlled and secure access to two of the three tunnel entrances, and possibly hardening the entrances and utilities against future strikes. The southernmost tunnel entrance remains blocked by earth and rubble.
While two of three tunnel entrances have now been largely cleared, and no visible damage remains to their doors, the extent of damage to the tunnels remains unclear. A question is whether more damaging Joint Multiple Effects Warhead System (JMEWS) warheads were included on the Tomahawk cruise missiles that struck Esfahan.
Read the post on Twitter Here