US bombs unlikely to reach underground Iran nuclear site: Report
1 year, 7 months ago

US bombs unlikely to reach underground Iran nuclear site: Report

Al Jazeera  

New Iranian atomic facility near Natanz may be too deep underground to be destroyed by air raids, AP analysis says. The photos and videos from Planet Labs PBC show Iran has been digging tunnels in the mountain near the Natanz nuclear site, which has come under repeated sabotage attacks amid Tehran’s standoff with the West over its atomic programme. As of February, international inspectors estimated Iran’s stockpile was more than 10 times what it was under the Obama-era deal, with enough enriched uranium to allow Tehran to make “several” nuclear bombs, according to the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Iran’s mission to the United Nations, in response to questions from the AP regarding the construction, said that “Iran’s peaceful nuclear activities are transparent and under the International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards.” Iran says the new construction will replace an above-ground centrifuge manufacturing centre at Natanz struck by an explosion and fire in July 2020. Satellite photos taken in April by Planet Labs PBC and analysed by the AP show Iran burrowing into the Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La, or “Pickaxe Mountain”, which is just beyond Natanz’s southern fencing.

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History of this topic

Israel destroys Iran’s nuclear weapons research facility: Report
1 month, 1 week ago

Israel destroys Iran’s nuclear weapons research facility: Report

Live Mint  

An Israeli airstrike in late October destroyed a top-secret nuclear weapons research facility in Iran, significantly damaging the country’s efforts to resume nuclear weapons research, according to Axios, which cited multiple sources including three US officials and one current and one former Israeli official. A former Israeli official, briefed on the strike, stated that “This strike dealt a significant blow …

Israel's October airstrike destroyed active nuclear research site in Iran’s Parchin complex: Report
1 month, 1 week ago

Israel's October airstrike destroyed active nuclear research site in Iran’s Parchin complex: Report

Firstpost  

Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military facilities in late October destroyed an active nuclear weapons research facility at the Parchin military complex, near Tehran, according to a report, citing US and Israeli officials A closeup satellite imagery of the Parchin Military Complex in Iran from Nov. 2022. Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military facilities in late October destroyed an active nuclear weapons …

Satellite Images Reveal Extent of Iran's Military Damage in Israel Attack
Top News
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Satellite Images Reveal Extent of Iran's Military Damage in Israel Attack

Live Mint  

Two secretive Iranian military bases were damaged in an Israeli attack, as shown by satellite images. The damage could be seen at the Parchin and Khojir military bases, both of which are important for missile production and nuclear weapons development. Iran has not acknowledged any damage at either base, but the attack has raised concerns about the country's nuclear program …

EXPLAINER | Iran–Israel conflict
2 months, 2 weeks ago

EXPLAINER | Iran–Israel conflict

New Indian Express  

Iran’s nuclear sites Also on Israel’s wishlist is an aerial strike on the nuclear sites to ensure Tehran’s nuclear weapons programme doesn’t progress. However, given that most of Iran’s nuclear sites are buried deep underground across the country, Israel would need the help of the US to identify and destroy them. Iran’s main nuclear sites include uranium enrichment centres in …

Iran fires air defence batteries at Isfahan air base and nuclear site, after Israeli attack
8 months ago

Iran fires air defence batteries at Isfahan air base and nuclear site, after Israeli attack

New Indian Express  

DUBAI: Iran fired air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site near the central city of Isfahan after spotting drones early Friday morning, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country. In particular, IRNA said air defences fired at a major air base in Isfahan, which long has …

Analysis: Why an Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities is a bad idea
8 months ago

Analysis: Why an Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities is a bad idea

Al Jazeera  

A direct Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear sites would yield little while risking too much. pic.twitter.com/4F7pAlNjWM — IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency ⚛️ April 19, 2024 He also suggested it would be “likely and imaginable” for Iran to reconsider pursuing a nuclear weapon if its nuclear facilities were targeted. Friday’s attack was close to Natanz, and Israel has successfully …

An Iranian nuclear facility is so deep underground that US airstrikes likely couldn’t reach it
1 year, 7 months ago

An Iranian nuclear facility is so deep underground that US airstrikes likely couldn’t reach it

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Near a peak of the Zagros Mountains in central Iran, workers are building a nuclear facility so deep in the earth that it is likely beyond the range of a last-ditch U.S. weapon designed to destroy such sites, according to experts and satellite imagery analyzed by The Associated Press. The photos and videos from Planet …

Iran unveils underground base in response to US-Israel exercises
1 year, 10 months ago

Iran unveils underground base in response to US-Israel exercises

Al Jazeera  

Iran’s army also announced a new air-fired missile that it said could penetrate enemy defences at long range. Tehran, Iran – Iran’s army has unveiled a major underground base to showcase its aerial military capabilities in response to significant joint exercises by the United States and Israel. State television on Tuesday showed footage of a variety of fighter jets and …

Iran reports drone attack on defense facility in Isfahan
1 year, 10 months ago

Iran reports drone attack on defense facility in Isfahan

India Today  

Drones attacked an Iranian defense factory in the central city of Isfahan overnight, the state-run IRNA news agency reported early Sunday. READ: Children among 16 killed in Iran protests, India Today verifies security forces opened fire Iran and Israel have long been engaged in a shadow war that has included covert attacks on Iranian military and nuclear facilities. Parchin is …

Iran says it enriches uranium to 60% purity at Fordo site
2 years, 1 month ago

Iran says it enriches uranium to 60% purity at Fordo site

Associated Press  

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran has begun producing enriched uranium at 60% purity at the country’s underground Fordo nuclear plant, official media reported Tuesday, describing it as a response to a resolution by the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog. From Vienna, the U.N. nuclear watchdog — the International Atomic Energy Agency or IAEA — said the 60% enrichment at Fordo comes on …

Iran president: No way back to nuclear deal if probe goes on
2 years, 3 months ago

Iran president: No way back to nuclear deal if probe goes on

Associated Press  

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s president warned Monday that any roadmap to restore Tehran’s tattered nuclear deal with world powers must see international inspectors end their probe on man-made uranium particles found at undeclared sites in the country. In a rare news conference marking his first year in office, President Ebrahim Raisi also issued threats against Israel and tried to sound …

US, Israel to discuss drills for Iran worst-case scenario: Report
3 years ago

US, Israel to discuss drills for Iran worst-case scenario: Report

Al Jazeera  

As diplomacy with Iran stutters, US official tells Reuters that American and Israeli defence chiefs will discuss preparations for a worst-case scenario. US and Israeli defence chiefs are expected on Thursday to discuss possible military exercises that would prepare for a worst-case scenario to destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities should diplomacy fail and if their nations’ leaders request it, a senior …

Iran explosion near Natanz nuclear facility a controlled test
3 years ago

Iran explosion near Natanz nuclear facility a controlled test

Al Jazeera  

No damage was incurred as part of the air defence test, according to Iranian media. Tehran, Iran – A loud explosion was heard near Iran’s main nuclear facilities in Natanz, which have previously been targeted by sabotage attacks, but state media said it was part of a controlled test. Nournews, an outlet close to Iran’s security forces, confirmed an air …

Analysis: Iran ups nuclear ante as Vienna deal talks resume
3 years ago

Analysis: Iran ups nuclear ante as Vienna deal talks resume

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — After a monthslong hiatus, Iran has returned to negotiations in Vienna aimed at reviving its cratered nuclear deal with world powers. The International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations body charged with monitoring the Islamic Republic’s program, acknowledged Wednesday that Iran began feeding a cascade of 166 advanced IR-6 centrifuges with uranium there. Tehran’s diplomatic …

Ex-Mossad chief signals Israel attacked Iran nuclear assets
3 years, 6 months ago

Ex-Mossad chief signals Israel attacked Iran nuclear assets

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The outgoing chief of Israel’s Mossad intelligence service has offered the closest acknowledgment yet his country was behind recent attacks targeting Iran’s nuclear program and a military scientist. The comments by Yossi Cohen, speaking to Israel’s Channel 12 investigative program “Uvda” in a segment aired Thursday night, offered an extraordinary debriefing by the head of …

Enrichment, Sabotage Cast Shadow Over New Iran Nuclear Talks
3 years, 8 months ago

Enrichment, Sabotage Cast Shadow Over New Iran Nuclear Talks

News 18  

Talks to save the Iran nuclear deal resume in Vienna Thursday amid new tensions, with Tehran preparing to ramp up uranium enrichment in response to an attack on a facility it blamed on arch-foe Israel. After a positive first round of negotiations aimed at resurrecting the 2015 agreement scuttled by Donald Trump, Iran’s push towards enrichment levels needed for military …

Rouhani says Iran will boost nuclear activity after Natanz attack
3 years, 8 months ago

Rouhani says Iran will boost nuclear activity after Natanz attack

Al Jazeera  

The president promises to boost uranium enrichment in response to the Natanz attack, which he says will strengthen Iran’s hand in nuclear talks. Isfahan’s Natanz facilities were hit with a large blackout on Sunday, the second attack in less than a year, in what Iran said was an act of “nuclear terrorism” orchestrated by Israel. Retaliation for Natanz attack Rouhani …

Iran blames Israel for Natanz nuclear plant blackout, vows revenge
3 years, 8 months ago

Iran blames Israel for Natanz nuclear plant blackout, vows revenge

India Today  

Iran on Monday accused arch-foe Israel of sabotaging its key Natanz nuclear site and vowed revenge for an attack that appeared to be latest episode in a long-running covert war. Iran-US nuclear talks The incident occurred amid diplomatic efforts by Iran and the United States to revive Tehran’s 2015 nuclear deal with major powers, an accord Israel fiercely opposed, after …

Iran blames Israel for sabotage at Natanz nuclear site
3 years, 8 months ago

Iran blames Israel for sabotage at Natanz nuclear site

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran blamed Israel on Monday for an attack on its underground Natanz nuclear facility that damaged its centrifuges — sabotage that imperils ongoing talks over Tehran’s tattered nuclear deal and brings a shadow war between the two countries into the light. While the nature of the attack and the extent of the damage at Natanz …

Iran blames Israel for nuclear plant outage, pledges revenge
3 years, 8 months ago

Iran blames Israel for nuclear plant outage, pledges revenge

The Hindu  

Iran blamed Israel on Monday for a sabotage attack on its underground Natanz nuclear facility that damaged its centrifuges and vowed it would take “revenge”. While the extent of the damage at Natanz remains unclear, a former Iranian official said the assault set off a fire while a spokesman mentioned a “possible minor explosion.” The attack also further strains relations …

Iran blames Israel for sabotage at Natanz nuclear site, warns of revenge
3 years, 8 months ago

Iran blames Israel for sabotage at Natanz nuclear site, warns of revenge

Firstpost  

Dubai: Iran blamed Israel on Monday for a sabotage attack on its underground Natanz nuclear facility that damaged centrifuges it uses to enrich uranium, warning that it would avenge the assault. Sunday’s assault and Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh’s comments blaming Israel could imperil ongoing talks in Vienna with world powers about saving a tattered accord aimed at curbing Iran’s …

Iran’s nuclear sites attacked in 600 words
3 years, 8 months ago

Iran’s nuclear sites attacked in 600 words

Al Jazeera  

Recent sabotage at Iran’s Natanz facility threatens to upend nuclear negotiations, which began last week, and heighten regional tensions. Iran’s nuclear programme has been targeted in sabotage attacks over the last decade, the latest incident striking its underground Natanz facility. Nuclear sites Natanz, in Iran’s central Isfahan province, hosts the country’s main uranium enrichment facility. ‘Nuclear terrorism’ The head of …

Iran warns Israel it will take revenge after sabotage attack on Natanz nuclear facility
3 years, 8 months ago

Iran warns Israel it will take revenge after sabotage attack on Natanz nuclear facility

ABC  

Iran has blamed Israel for a sabotage attack that damaged centrifuges used to enrich uranium at its underground Natanz nuclear facility, warning it would take revenge for the assault. Key points: The event was initially described as a blackout caused by the electrical grid feeding its above-ground workshops and underground enrichment halls The incident took place a day after Tehran …

Iran calls Natanz nuclear enrichment site blackout 'nuclear terrorism'
3 years, 8 months ago

Iran calls Natanz nuclear enrichment site blackout 'nuclear terrorism'

ABC  

A blackout at Iran's Natanz nuclear facility on Sunday was an act of "nuclear terrorism", according to the country's nuclear chief, Ali Akbar Salehi. Key points: Multiple Israeli media outlets reported a cyberattack caused the blackout The incident took place a day after Tehran launched advanced uranium enrichment centrifuges Israel has not claimed responsibility for the attack While there was …

Iran calls Natanz atomic site blackout ‘nuclear terrorism’
3 years, 8 months ago

Iran calls Natanz atomic site blackout ‘nuclear terrorism’

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran on Sunday described a blackout at its underground Natanz atomic facility an act of “nuclear terrorism,” raising regional tensions as world powers and Tehran continue to negotiate over its tattered nuclear deal. Iran also blamed Israel for the November killing of a scientist who began the country’s military nuclear program decades earlier. “It’s hard …

Iran nuclear incident: Israel army chief appears to hint at possible role in Natanz facility blackout
3 years, 8 months ago

Iran nuclear incident: Israel army chief appears to hint at possible role in Natanz facility blackout

CNN  

Jerusalem CNN — Israel’s army chief has appeared to hint at possible Israeli involvement in an incident at the Natanz nuclear site in Iran, which was described as “terrorist action” by the head of Iran’s atomic energy agency. Just hours after Iranian officials reported the incident, Israel’s army chief Aviv Kochavi said the country’s “operations throughout the Middle East are …

Iran calls blackout at Natanz atomic site ‘nuclear terrorism’
3 years, 8 months ago

Iran calls blackout at Natanz atomic site ‘nuclear terrorism’

Al Jazeera  

Iran’s nuclear chief links incident with nuclear deal, saying it was perpetrated by those who oppose lifting sanctions. Tehran, Iran – Iran condemned a blackout at its underground Natanz nuclear facility early on Sunday as an act of “nuclear terrorism” and said Tehran reserves the right to respond, but did not specify who was responsible and how Iran may react. …

Iranian nuclear physicist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh's killing points to Israel's murderous game plan
4 years ago

Iranian nuclear physicist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh's killing points to Israel's murderous game plan

The Hindu  

The assassination of MohsenFakhrizadeh, a high-ranking nuclear physicist who headed the Iranian Defence Ministry’s Innovation and Research wing, on November 27 on the outskirts of Tehran was done with the express purpose of provoking a new military confrontation in the region and permanently scuttling the United States-Iran nuclear deal. Fakhrizadeh’s assassination was planned to sabotage the stated goal of the …

Iran builds at underground nuclear facility amid US tensions
4 years ago

Iran builds at underground nuclear facility amid US tensions

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran has begun construction on a site at its underground nuclear facility at Fordo amid tensions with the U.S. over its atomic program, according to satellite photos obtained by The Associated Press on Friday. Iran has not publicly acknowledged any new construction at Fordo, whose discovery by the West in 2009 came in an earlier …

Iran begins new construction at Fordo underground nuclear facility amid US tensions
4 years ago

Iran begins new construction at Fordo underground nuclear facility amid US tensions

ABC  

Iran has begun construction on a site at its underground nuclear facility amid tensions with the United States over its atomic program, according to satellite photos. Key points: Any work at Fordo is expected to trigger attention from the United States Construction began in late September Iran has not publicly acknowledged any new construction at the site Iran has not …

Satellite images show construction at Iranian nuclear facility
4 years ago

Satellite images show construction at Iranian nuclear facility

LA Times  

Iran has begun construction on a site at its underground nuclear facility at Fordo amid tensions with the U.S. over its atomic program, satellite photos obtained Friday by the Associated Press show. Asked for comment, Iran’s mission to the United Nations told the AP that “none of Iran’s nuclear activities are secret,” given the ongoing inspections by the International Atomic …

Satellite photos show construction at Iran nuclear site
4 years, 1 month ago

Satellite photos show construction at Iran nuclear site

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran has begun construction at its Natanz nuclear facility, satellite images released Wednesday show, just as the U.N. nuclear agency acknowledged Tehran is building an underground advanced centrifuge assembly plant after its last one exploded in a reported sabotage attack last summer. “Nothing in Iran regarding its peaceful nuclear program is being done in secret, …

UN watchdog: Iran building at underground nuclear facility
4 years, 1 month ago

UN watchdog: Iran building at underground nuclear facility

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Inspectors from the U.N.'s atomic watchdog have confirmed Iran has started building an underground centrifuge assembly plant after its previous one exploded in what Tehran called a sabotage attack over the summer, the agency’s head told The Associated Press on Tuesday. Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of Iran’s nuclear department, last month told state television the destroyed above-ground …

Iran says sabotage caused explosion at Natanz nuclear site
4 years, 4 months ago

Iran says sabotage caused explosion at Natanz nuclear site

Al Jazeera  

Spokesman for Atomic Energy Organization says authorities will reveal ‘in due time the reason behind blast’ in July. Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization has said an explosion last month that damaged the country’s Natanz nuclear facility was the result of “sabotage”. “Security investigations confirm this was sabotage and what is certain is that an explosion took place in Natanz,” spokesman Behrouz …

Analysis: Risks grow after blast hits Iran’s nuclear program
4 years, 5 months ago

Analysis: Risks grow after blast hits Iran’s nuclear program

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A mysterious explosion and fire at Iran’s main nuclear facility may have stopped Tehran from building advanced centrifuges, but it likely has not slowed the Islamic Republic in growing its ever-increasing stockpile of low-enriched uranium. The larger that stockpile grows, the shorter the so-called “breakout time” becomes — time that Iran would need to build …

Suspicions cyber sabotage behind fire at Iran nuclear facility, but Israel says it's 'not necessarily' involved
4 years, 5 months ago

Suspicions cyber sabotage behind fire at Iran nuclear facility, but Israel says it's 'not necessarily' involved

ABC  

A fire at Iran's underground Natanz nuclear facility has caused significant damage that could slow the development of advanced centrifuges used to enrich uranium, an Iranian nuclear official said. Key points: Israel denies it was behind an incident at the Iranian facility, which caused significant damage but no casualties Iran has stepped away from the agreement requiring it to limit …

Fire at Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility caused significant damage
4 years, 5 months ago

Fire at Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility caused significant damage

Al Jazeera  

Iranian officials say incident could slow down the country’s development and production of advanced centrifuges. A fire that broke out at Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility last week caused significant damage that could slow the development of advanced centrifuges, an Iranian nuclear official said on Sunday. No one was hurt in the mysterious blaze last Thursday at the site, said Behrouz …

Iran declines to disclose cause of fire at Natanz nuclear site
4 years, 5 months ago

Iran declines to disclose cause of fire at Natanz nuclear site

Al Jazeera  

Move comes as Iran’s civil defence chief threatens to retaliate if proof of a foreign cyberattack is found. Iranian investigators have determined the cause of a fire at the Natanz nuclear plant, a spokesman for Iran’s top security body said on Friday, while declining to immediately release details of the findings over “security reasons”. The National Security Council’s statement came …

Analysts: Fire at Iran nuclear site hit centrifuge facility
4 years, 5 months ago

Analysts: Fire at Iran nuclear site hit centrifuge facility

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A fire and an explosion struck a centrifuge production plant above Iran’s underground Natanz nuclear enrichment facility early Thursday, analysts said, one of the most-tightly guarded sites in all of the Islamic Republic after earlier acts of sabotage there. Thank God, the site is continuing its work as before.” In Washington, the State Department said …

'Incident' damages construction near Iran nuclear site
4 years, 5 months ago

'Incident' damages construction near Iran nuclear site

The Hindu  

An “incident” damaged an under-construction building Thursday near Iran’s underground Natanz nuclear enrichment facility, though it did not affect its centrifuge operations or cause any release of radiation, a spokesman said. The affected building, described as an “industrial shed,” was above ground and not part of the enrichment facility itself, said Behrouz Kamalvandi, a spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization …

Fire damages building at Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility
4 years, 5 months ago

Fire damages building at Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility

Al Jazeera  

No casualties reported, officials say site operating as usual after incident at Iran’s main uranium enrichment site. A fire broke out at Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility on Thursday but there were no casualties reported and the site is operating as usual, Iranian officials said. The Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant, Iran’s main uranium enrichment site, is one of several Iranian facilities …

Satellite image: Iran blast was near suspected missile site
4 years, 5 months ago

Satellite image: Iran blast was near suspected missile site

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — An explosion that rattled Iran’s capital came from an area in its eastern mountains that analysts believe hides an underground tunnel system and missile production sites, satellite photographs showed Saturday. The Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies identified Khojir as the “site of numerous tunnels, some suspected of use for arms assembly.” Large industrial …

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