• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

USA Breaking News

Breaking News Stories from US and Around the World

  • Home
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Tech
  • Style
  • Sports
  • Travel

Iran Is Moving Key Facility at Nuclear Site Underground, Satellite Images Show

December 9, 2020 by www.nytimes.com Leave a Comment

The mysterious July explosion that destroyed a centrifuge assembly hall at Iran 's main nuclear fuel enrichment facility in Natanz was deemed by the Iranian authorities to be enemy sabotage, and provoked a defiant response: The wrecked building would be rebuilt in "the heart of the mountains," the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization said.

Progress on that pledge, which could shield the facility from an aerial assault or other threats, has been unclear to outside observers. But new satellite imagery is now shedding light on the Iranian plans.

The Visual Investigations team of The New York Times has tracked construction at the site using the new imagery. For the first time, new tunnel entrances for underground construction are visible under a ridge in the mountain foothills south of the Natanz facility, about 140 miles south of Tehran.

The Times worked with Jeffrey Lewis , an arms control expert at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey in California, to interpret the new image.

"The new facility is likely to be a far more secure location for centrifuge assembly — it is located far from a road and the ridge offers significant overburden that would protect the facility from air attack," Mr. Lewis stated in written comments.

The July explosion was not the only recent incident that appeared to have exposed major gaps in Iran's security of its nuclear program, which the country insists is limited to peaceful purposes. In late November, a brazen daylight attack killed Iran's top nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh.

Iran has blamed Israel and the United States for the Natanz explosion and Mr. Fakhrizadeh's assassination, which were both considered serious setbacks to Iran's nuclear program .

Mr. Lewis described the clues that underground construction was underway at the site in Natanz.

"There are what appear to be two tunnel entrances on either side of a large ridge, with a pile of spoil from excavation nearby. The space between the two entrances is large enough to accommodate a facility about the same size as the centrifuge assembly building that was destroyed this summer and that Iran indicated it was rebuilding in the mountains."

Looking at satellite images taken over several months allows for tracking changes. Even something as simple and inconspicuous as a pile of dirt is a clue.

"The major clue is the pile of spoil from the excavation that was not present in July," Mr. Lewis said. "Iran also regraded a pair of roads on each side of the ridge leading to what appear to be tunnel entrances."

Allison Puccioni, an imagery analyst affiliated with the Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford University, pointed out other telltale signs of excavations near the debris pile. In comments provided to the Times, Ms Puccioni said that between the debris pile and excavation site, the imagery showed "trails of excavated earth, lighter in color than the existing hard-packed road."

A flurry of activity in Natanz captured by satellites in recent months includes the building of new roads and additional excavations, which started after the explosion. Researchers from AllSource Analysis and the Institute for Science and International Security have previously identified the area and said that additional tunnels are being constructed, suggesting work on an even larger underground complex is underway.

The destroyed building was built in 2012 and had been used to assemble centrifuges, the machines that enrich uranium needed for peaceful purposes — and when enriched to higher levels, for bombs. The 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers halted high level enrichment, but Iran started amassing enriched uranium again after President Trump left the accord two years ago.

After the July explosion, the International Atomic Energy Agency, which monitors Iran's compliance with the accord, confirmed that there had been no nuclear materials at that specific building.

The ability to see via satellite what Iran has done since the Natanz explosion partly reflects the quantum leap in such visual technology in the past two decades.

In 2002, analysts revealed the construction of the then secret Natanz enrichment facility using commercial high-resolution satellite imagery. Such sharp imagery had only become available in 2000 . Back then, the analysis required finding Natanz on Persian maps in the Library of Congress, faxing an order form and waiting for weeks to receive satellite imagery on a CD-ROM. Eighteen years later, even the smallest changes at a site like Natanz can be quickly tracked by analysts and journalists on their laptops.

These monitoring capabilities can create their own challenges. Frequently collected images do not show completed construction, but work in progress. Initial interpretation of the recent changes in Natanz from October focused on a former firing range south of the main facility as the possible location for the new underground centrifuge assembly hall. However, these changes turned out to be a construction support facility used for road work and tunnel excavations.

In response to Mr. Fakhrizadeh's assassination, Iran enacted a law last week to immediately ramp up uranium enrichment and bar international inspectors by February if U.S. sanctions are not lifted. The law also calls for the installment of advanced centrifuges at its nuclear facilities , including in Natanz.

The United States may have been aware in advance of the recent attacks on Iran's nuclear infrastructure and personnel. How Iran responds to the newest attack could pose an early challenge to the incoming Biden administration, which has said it wants to rejoin the nuclear accord repudiated by Mr. Trump.

  • North Korea Ignoring Donald Trump As Nuclear Site Expands: Report
  • North Korea: New Satellite Images Reveal Missile Base Is Active and New Site Is Being Developed
  • New Satellite Images Show Hidden North Korea Missile Bases
  • Iran’s US-criticized satellite launch failed to reach orbit
  • Researchers find 20 secret missile sites in North Korea
  • Donald Trump and North Korea's Peace Talks Are Working, Even With 'New' Missile Sites, Experts Say
  • EU warns that Iran is probably stepping up cyber espionage
  • U.S. Aware of All North Korea Nuclear Work, Trump Says Despite Report
  • Iran satellite fails to reach orbit in U.S.-criticized launch
  • Subterranean terror: Can tech defeat hidden underground threats?
  • 'Destroyer of worlds' uncovered as Soviet nuclear bunkers reveal their secrets
  • Trump Weighs 2nd North Korea Summit as Possible Missile Site Appears
  • Iran 'Ready to Respond to Any Threat' Ahead of Space Launch Condemned by U.S.
  • ‘Deadly, toxic business’: New Mexico will reject nation’s nuclear waste, activists vow
  • Trump Administration Asked Pentagon for ‘Far-Reaching Military Options' to Attack Iran, Report Says
  • Iran, Russia Accuse U.S. of Undermining Dollar Internationally as Trump Hails Currency's Strength
  • Iran Launches Massive Military Drills as Israel Goes Public With War Against It In Syria
  • Israel strikes in Syria in more open assault on Iran
  • U.S. Just Sent More Troops to Syria, Is Looking to Keep Some There to Take on Iran, Reports Say
  • Why Utahns should care about mysteries unlocked at Idaho nuclear research facility
Diamond Supply co iPhone 5 Case Simplicity is the Key
check it now at Amazon
Black Keys Live at the Crystal Ballroom
check it now at Amazon
Entangled: For Everything There is a Key
$8.05
Fear Is the Key [Region 2]
$24.33
God is Personal (Be Amazed at the Intimacy We Can Have with God) (2 DVD's)
2.0★ / check it now at Amazon
This is Nowhere: RV Camping at Wal-Mart
2.7★ / $18.99
2008 Global Conference: Is the United States at Risk of Losing the Education Race Worldwide?
4.0★ / check it now at Amazon
IRAN (is not the problem)
4.1★ / check it now at Amazon
PLAYMOBIL Biker at Camp Site Playset
4.8★ / check it now at Amazon
Construction At The Site See-Inside Frame Puzzle
check it now at Amazon
Perseverance Wrestling Poster “Continuous Effort Is the Key to Unlocking Our Potential.”
$40
Dance Moves: Kickin It at Clubs [VHS]
check it now at Amazon
Pin - Reading Is The Key - 1 per order
check it now at Amazon
kc_194298 EvaDane - Funny Quotes - This chick is retired. - Key Chains
4.0★ / $15.84
Pre-Algebra Concepts: Evolver Complete: Math is the Key to Unlocking the Mystery of Xeno Island.
$11.94
3D Lenticular Key Chain, Key Ring, Lipstick Case, Coin Purse, Changing Image Pattern , Rainbow Color, Moving Wheels, R-052-Globi
check it now at Amazon
This Is the Moment: Live at Tivoli
$4.58
Now Is the Time: Live at Willow Creek (CD+DVD)
check it now at Amazon
The Blues Is Where It's At - Otis Spann (Vinyl LP)
check it now at Amazon
Spiders On The Keys: Live At The Maple Leaf
$10.98
love is the key LP
check it now at Amazon
The Blues Is Where It`S At / Otis Spann
$17.08
Live At Brixton Academy (this is different than Live at Brixton)
$20.58
Love Is the Key
$16.62
Everything Is Moving
check it now at Amazon
Time Is the Key
$77.87
Hugh Masekela Is Alive And Well At The Whiskey
$20
Now Is the Time: Live at Willow Creek
check it now at Amazon
Music Is The Key: The Anthology 1967 to 1975
$42.99
Melancholy Is a Key to Consciousness
$16.31
Prayer Is The Key To Heaven (But Faith Unlocks The Door) [Accompaniment/Performance Track]
$9.98
Love Is Where It's At
$9.7
CK Products 8-3/4-Inch "Jesus Is The Key" Chocolate Mold
check it now at Amazon
How Strange It Is to Be Anything At All: Alice in Wonderland Style Shot Glass
$10.99
All Is Vanity Large Mug at Cafepress
check it now at Amazon
Love Is The Key Charm Bracelet (07.00 Inch) in 14K Yellow Gold
check it now at Amazon
Rhodium Plated Sterling Silver "Here Is The Key To My Heart" Bracelet and Pendant Necklace Jewelry Set
check it now at Amazon
Sterling Silver "Love Is The Key, I Love You" Key with Hearts Pendant Necklace, 18"
check it now at Amazon
IceCarats® Designer Jewelry 14K White Gold 3/4 Inch Love Is The Key Pendant
check it now at Amazon
Sterling Silver "Inner Peace Is The Key" Pendant Necklace , 18"
check it now at Amazon
4 Pcs Key Switch ON/OFF Lock Switch K1 with Plastic Handle, Put Key out at OFF Position Skywalking
$11.99
Alexx Finders Key Purse Lips is Lips Key Finder
check it now at Amazon
Monster Party Window Valance - 54x15" - This is a great selection at Home & Kitchen Store - bedroom - Cotton (100 %.
$19.99
Prayer is the Key Decorative Tapestry Toss Pillow Made in the USA
check it now at Amazon
Vintage Looking Metal Sign Love Is the Key Size 8" X 5"
check it now at Amazon
UFOs and Nukes Extraordinary Encounters at Nuclear Weapons Sites
$52.03
The System Is The Key At Roulette: A Practical Guide To Interpreting Occult Patterns And Winning At Casino Gaming
$18.79
The System Is The Key At Roulette
check it now at Amazon
UFOs and Nukes:Extraordinary Encounters at Nuclear Weapons Sites
check it now at Amazon
UFOs & Nukes: Extraordinary Encounters at Nuclear Weapons Sites
$7.99
Iran Is Moving Key Facility at Nuclear Site Underground, Satellite Images Show have 1777 words, post on www.nytimes.com at December 9, 2020. This is cached page on USA Breaking News. If you want remove this page, please contact us.

Filed Under: World Iran, Natanz, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, International Atomic Energy Agency, Nuclear energy, Uranium, World, Natanz (Iran), Fakhrizadeh, Mohsen, International Atomic...

Primary Sidebar

RSS Recent Stories

  • Living with myelofibrosis? What you need to know
  • Top 5 ways to reduce your home energy costs this fall
  • 5 tips for getting your brain in better shape for back-to-school season
  • Six Flags amusement park shooting near Chicago leaves 3 hurt
  • Lost villages, ancient ruins and shipwrecks uncovered in extreme heat
  • Ex-NFL star Aqib Talib’s brother wanted in youth coach death
  • Celebrity birthdays for the week of Aug. 21-27
  • WNBA’s Brittney Griner appeals her Russian prison sentence
  • Opinion: Fully remote work could soon vanish
  • 50 killed and many displaced in northern Nigeria flooding

Sponsored Links

  • Major crash led to suspension of its Tesla Model 3 by taxi company
  • After Tesla, SpaceX workers come forward to speak on sexual harassment
  • Wi-Fi range extender to strengthen network coverage and internet speeds
  • apple: How to capture screenshot on Apple iPhone just by tapping back panel
  • EU Parliament backs tough new rules to rein in US tech giants
  • Carville: ‘Strap in People’ — January 6 Probe Will Expose Trump Was Behind a ‘Massive Criminal Act’
  • Warren: SCOTUS ‘Has Lost the Respect of the American People’ — We Need More Justices
  • Summers: Combatting Inflation Will ‘Require Substantially More’ Than What Fed Is Doing
  • Bratton: Lax District Attorneys, ‘Most of Them Funded by George Soros’ ‘Are Destroying the Criminal Justice System’
  • WATCH: Sheriff’s Deputies in Maryland Rescue Woman from Frigid Waters
Copyright © 2022 USA Breaking News. Power by Wordpress.
Home - About Us - Contact Us - Disclaimers - DMCA - Privacy Policy - Submit your story