Imagery Update: New Developments at Pickaxe Mountain Tunnel Entrances
High-resolution satellite imagery of the large tunnel complex at Kolang-Gaz La Mountain, aka Pickaxe Mountain, from February 10 shows ongoing efforts to harden and defensively strengthen two of the tunnel entrances into the facility.
Imagery Update: All Entrances to Esfahan Tunnel Complex are Now Completely Buried
High resolution satellite imagery taken yesterday shows the extent to which Iran has covered the tunnel entrances at the Esfahan nuclear complex with soil. The middle and southern entrances are unrecognizable and fully covered in soil. The northernmost tunnel entrance which features additional passive defense measures is backfilled with soil. No more vehicle activity is seen around the three entrances.
North Korean Probable High Explosive Test Sites
In recent years, North Korea reportedly has operated two outdoor high explosive (HE) test sites for the development of nuclear weapons. These two sites are called in Western media or sourcing Yongdok-dong, aka Yongdok or Yongdok-tong, and Kumchang-ni, aka Kumchangni or Kumchang-ri.
New Activity at the Esfahan Nuclear Complex
In recent days, vehicle activity on the road leading to the tunnel entrances at the Esfahan Nuclear Complex has increased notably, including at the southernmost tunnel entrance, which up until now saw only minimal activity. This most recent activity appears related to re-burying the southernmost and the middle entrances with soil. The northernmost tunnel entrance, which witnessed increased hardening over the last months, appears to remain open as of today and vehicles are present near the entrance. The extent to which activities are ongoing inside the tunnel is unknown, but Iran moving assets inside the tunnel rather than out seems plausible.
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Imagery Update: New Developments at Pickaxe Mountain Tunnel Entrances
High-resolution satellite imagery of the large tunnel complex at Kolang-Gaz La Mountain, aka Pickaxe Mountain, from February 10 shows ongoing efforts to harden and defensively strengthen two of the tunnel entrances into the facility.
Imagery Update: All Entrances to Esfahan Tunnel Complex are Now Completely Buried
High resolution satellite imagery taken yesterday shows the extent to which Iran has covered the tunnel entrances at the Esfahan nuclear complex with soil. The middle and southern entrances are unrecognizable and fully covered in soil. The northernmost tunnel entrance which features additional passive defense measures is backfilled with soil. No more vehicle activity is seen around the three entrances.
New Activity at the Esfahan Nuclear Complex
In recent days, vehicle activity on the road leading to the tunnel entrances at the Esfahan Nuclear Complex has increased notably, including at the southernmost tunnel entrance, which up until now saw only minimal activity. This most recent activity appears related to re-burying the southernmost and the middle entrances with soil. The northernmost tunnel entrance, which witnessed increased hardening over the last months, appears to remain open as of today and vehicles are present near the entrance. The extent to which activities are ongoing inside the tunnel is unknown, but Iran moving assets inside the tunnel rather than out seems plausible.
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NEW IMAGERY UPDATE
High-resolution satellite imagery of the large tunnel complex at Kolang-Gaz La Mountain, aka Pickaxe Mountain, from February 10 shows ongoing efforts to harden and defensively strengthen two of the tunnel entrances into the facility. Imagery shows ongoing activity throughout the complex related to this effort, involving the movement of numerous vehicles, including dump trucks, cement mixers, and other heavy equipment like backhoes and truck mounted cranes. As of February 10, concrete is being poured on top of the Western tunnel entrance extension. At one of the Eastern tunnel entrances, rock and soil can be seen pushed back and leveled on top of the tunnel portal. Additionally, over the last month, a concrete-reinforced headworks for the tunnel entrance extension was added. This allows for additional overburden in the form of additional rock, soil, or concrete. These efforts strengthen the tunnel portals and provide additional protection against an airstrike.
The facility is likely not yet ready for operations, however, over the last two months, smaller vehicles and closed-roof vehicles have also been observed near the entrances, indicating that Iran may be in the process of outfitting the interior of the tunnel complex. In the past, Iran has tied the construction to rebuilding an advanced centrifuge assembly plant, but the size of the facility, as well as the protection provided by the tall mountain, raised immediate concern whether additional sensitive activities are planned, such as uranium enrichment.
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