Reports have surfaced suggesting that the entrance to Iran’s nuclear facility in Isfahan, located in central Iran, which is known to contain uranium enrichment machinery, was recently covered with earth.
On the 9th (local time), the U.S. research organization Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) shared satellite photographs taken the day before and mentioned in a report, “The entrance to the underground nuclear site in Isfahan, central Iran, seems to have been covered with earth.”
ISIS stated that the main, northern, and southern access points of the site were entirely buried under dirt, and mentioned, “No vehicles have been seen near these entrances.”
The newly released images indicate that structures thought to be entry points, which were visible in November 2024, are no longer visible in the most recent photos. As per ISIS, concealing underground tunnel entrances with dirt can reduce the effects of air strikes and hinder special forces from entering, securing, or destroying highly enriched uranium.
In this context, ISIS mentioned, “Iran seems to be genuinely worried about air strikes or unexpected attacks from the U.S. and Israel.” It noted that comparable activities were seen in Iran prior to the U.S. carrying out the ‘Midnight Hammer’ operation in June of last year, which consisted of air strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites, namely Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
Although nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran resumed after eight months on the 6th, experts believe Iran could be implementing measures to safeguard its nuclear sites under military pressure.
Lynette Nusbacher, a former British Army intelligence officer and member of the UK’s national security strategy team, stated to the Jerusalem Post, “During last week’s discussions, Iran appears to have been presented with an option: either give up its nuclear weapons or risk being destroyed by American forces. It is simpler to remove barriers using bulldozers than to restore structures following missile strikes.” She added, “The indication from the U.S. that it is ready to strike Iranian nuclear sites has become significantly more evident compared to last year.”
Dr. Efrat Sofer, part of the advisory board at the University of Haifa’s Center for Iranian and Gulf Studies, also mentioned, “Iran seems to expect a physical attack. It looks like they are getting ready for an air strike.”
jasdooit 
Leave a comment