Recent satellite imagery shows Iran has not begun recovery or excavation work at key nuclear tunnel entrances at the Isfahan complex, where enriched uranium is believed to be stored, analysts from the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) said Friday.
Images taken on July 9 show that all three tunnel entrances at the Isfahan Nuclear Complex remain blocked by earthen backfill and bomb damage, according to David Albright, the institute’s president, and other researchers.
“To access these stocks, the Iranians would have to dig through and clear about 20 meters of rubble or backfill,” the team wrote. “The July 9 image shows no earth moving equipment or other heavy machinery present at any tunnel entrance.”
The tunnels are suspected of housing parts of Iran’s remaining enriched uranium stockpile, but analysts said that any effort to access them would be highly visible to overhead surveillance and could trigger further US or Israeli strikes.
In addition, satellite imagery of the main Isfahan complex — which includes the destroyed uranium conversion and metal production facilities — shows no activity. According to the institute, Iran would likely need to conduct drone or HAZMAT surveys before removing rubble or beginning any rebuilding.
“This is a lengthy and complicated process,” the group said. “Iran may also be holding off on any such activities as they are easily spotted via overhead imagery.”
Israel says Iran did not move 60% enriched uranium before strikes
A senior Israeli official told Reuters this week that Iran did not relocate its 60% enriched uranium stockpile before last month’s US airstrikes on its nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. The material — estimated at around 400 kilograms — “was not removed and has not been moved since,” the official said.
The official added that while Iran may still be able to reach the stockpile at Isfahan, removing it would be difficult due to the extent of the bomb damage. “The Iranians might still be able to gain access to Isfahan but it would be hard to remove any of the material there,” the official said, according to Reuters.
Before the strikes, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had assessed that most of Iran’s 60% enriched uranium was stored at the Isfahan complex. Since the attacks, IAEA inspectors have left the country following a new Iranian law that bars cooperation with the UN watchdog.
Tehran has accused the agency of leaking sensitive information to Israel and the United States and has said future coordination will be managed by its Supreme National Security Council. The IAEA has not been able to verify the location or status of the uranium stockpile since the strikes.
