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.
Imagery Update: Concrete Sarcophagus at Taleghan 2 Nears Completion
Recent satellite imagery shows that the construction of a concrete sarcophagus around the newly built facility at Taleghan 2 at the Parchin military site has progressed over the last month, to a point where the facility itself is now unrecognizable, another indication of the strategic importance of the facility to the Iranian regime.
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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.
Imagery Update: Concrete Sarcophagus at Taleghan 2 Nears Completion
Recent satellite imagery shows that the construction of a concrete sarcophagus around the newly built facility at Taleghan 2 at the Parchin military site has progressed over the last month, to a point where the facility itself is now unrecognizable, another indication of the strategic importance of the facility to the Iranian regime.
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NEW: 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.
It appears clear that the Iranians are seriously concerned about a US/Israeli aerial attack and/or raid against this particularly hardened nuclear facility. Backfilling the tunnel entrances would help dampen any potential airstrike and also make ground access in a special forces raid to seize or destroy any highly enriched uranium that may be housed inside difficult. It is also possible that Iran could have moved equipment or material into the tunnels to protect them, although this cannot be confirmed. Preparations like these were last observed in the days before Operation Midnight Hammer struck facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan.
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