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.  High-explosive containment vessels are critical to the development of nuclear weapons but can also be used in many other conventional weapons development processes.  There is no unequivocal evidence that the new site will be used in nuclear weaponization, however, its location and the site's history raise significant questions. The site was previously destroyed during an Israeli bombing campaign on October 25th, 2024.  Based on Axios reporting and the Institute’s understanding, it appears likely that just prior to the October 2024 bombing, Taleghan 2 most recently contained equipment used to make high purity PETN plastic explosives. These explosives, which are moldable, were used during the Amad Plan in the channels of the shock wave generators, a type of multipoint initiation system used to detonate the main high explosive charge in a nuclear weapon.^[1]  During the AMAD Plan, Taleghan 2 originally contained a specially built smaller, cylindrical  high explosive test chamber operated with a flash x-ray able to peer deeply into high explosive experiments, including scaled-down versions of the shock wave generator.  The chamber required a large load bearing foundation and was encased in concrete (see Figure 1 for a view of the original site).  Taleghan 2 is located less than 200 meters from the former Taleghan 1 site that also contained a larger high-explosives containment vessel used for the development of nuclear weapons (see Figures 2 and 3).^[2] 

Construction on the new facility has been ongoing for several months, starting before the 12 Day War.  The Institute previously detailed the construction activity at Taleghan 2 in a report published on October 20, 2025.  The new imagery, ranging from September to November 2025, shows the presence of a large and long cylindrical metal object measuring 36 meters long and at least 12 meters wide inside a metal domed roof (see Figure 4).^[3]  What exactly the object is cannot be completely determined from the satellite imagery alone, however, its shape and metal structure are consistent with previous high-explosive test chambers Iran has built.  The facility is likely entering an advanced stage of construction. 

The design of the facility under construction strongly suggests that explosives will be present at the site.  The long cylindrical metal object is contained within a reinforced central metal structure surrounded on three sides by steep cuts into the hillside and connected externally via a middle reinforced structure to two reinforced metal arched portals.  The portals may also serve as blast traps if the site is subsequently earth covered.  Several satellite imagery views of the possible containment vessel show what appears to be an access point into the vessel, critical to its function (see Figure 5).  Imagery from November 14, 2025, shows three rectangular slits on the metal roof of the main building, possibly used for ventilation of the internal containment vessel (see Figure 6).  New additional construction can be seen in front of the middle structure; its purpose is unclear at this time.  It is also possible that the main building will be buried underneath earth, as large spoil piles can be seen on the hill just above the building ready to be bulldozed over it (see Figure 7).  Concrete appears to have been added to the base of the hill surrounding the main building, likely used to reinforce the integrity of the site (see previous Figure 4). The design of the building and its external structures and its positioning tucked away into the hillside would provide it with extra explosives containment as well as resistance from airstrikes.  Burying it would further harden it.  The lengths Iran has gone to reinforce and harden the site, and the nearby security clearly indicate its importance and technical value. 

Iran has also made a concerted effort to obscure and hide the possible containment vessel from view.  Past satellite images show a large black rectangular structure temporarily covering the facility (see Figure 8).  This temporary structure is still visible intact in an August 24th image. Soon afterwards, this cover was removed and the chamber and the reinforced metal frame and roof became visible. 

 

Figure 1.  Equipment once present at Taleghan 2.  Nuclear archive pictures at the top, annotations by the Institute.

Figure 2.  The location of Taleghan 2 vis a vis Taleghan 1 in 2004; both high explosive test locations under the Amad Plan. 

Figure 3.  The high explosives test chamber inside Taleghan 1, as seen from documents obtained from the Iran Nuclear Archive. 

Figure 4.  Several images of Taleghan 2 taken between September and November 2025 show clearly the internal cylindrical possible containment vessel and its width.  The middle images details the length and width of the internal object. The building itself measures 40 meters by 17 meters. 

Figure 5.  A side view of the possible containment vessel showing what appears to be an access point. 

Figure 6.  A recent image of Taleghan 2 showing the metal domed roof being installed. Three possible ventilation slits can be seen in the roof of the building containing the possible containment vessel.

Figure 7.  An overview of the Taleghan 2 site from November 14, 2025.  Large earth piles can be seen on the hill above the main building. 

Figure 8.  The Taleghan 2 site with the temporary cover structure over the original building location.  None of the future construction can be seen. 

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