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| Former UN inspector: Satellite images seem to show all 3 tunnel entrances at Isfahan nuke site still blocked |
| 2025-07-13 |
| [IsraelTimes] David Albright, a former UN nuclear inspector, says that satellite imagery from Wednesday appears to show that all three tunnel entrances at the Isfahan nuclear site in Iran remain blocked after Israeli and US strikes last month. “Many believe that at least some of the enriched uranium stocks are held inside this tunnel complex, but any such stocks appear to remain inaccessible,” writes the head of the Institute for Science and International Security, in a post on X. “To access these stocks, the Iranians would have to dig through and clear about 20 meters of rubble or backfill to reach any of the tunnel entrances and begin excavation or repair activities,” he says. Albright says that the images show no earth-moving equipment near a tunnel entrance. A senior Israeli official said Thursday that Israeli intelligence shows that Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium had not been removed from Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan before the three nuclear sites were struck by the US last month amid Israel’s 12-day war with Iran, and has not been moved since. The official suggested, however, that the Iranians might still be able to gain access to the enriched uranium at Isfahan but that it would be very difficult to remove it.
… to dig through and clear about 20 meters of rubble or backfill to reach any of the tunnel entrances and begin excavation or repair activities. The July 9 image shows no earth moving equipment or other heavy machinery present at any tunnel entrance. However, it appears that roadblocks were established on the street leading to the southernmost tunnel entrance. Of note, there are no visible activities within the main complex housing the now destroyed uranium conversion facilities and uranium metal production plant. To gain access to the complex, Iran will first need to conduct a survey using drones or radiological HAZMAT teams to assess the danger of the site and distribution of radiological and chemical material dispersed by the bombings. Debris and rubble will then need to be removed before any repair or rebuild activities commence. This is a lengthy and complicated process that will take the Iranians some time to complete. Iran may also be holding off on any such activities as they are easily spotted via overhead imagery as a reconstitution effort, which may be met with further Israeli or American attacks. At Natanz, as of July 8, the only operations we've observed have been at the penetration hole above the buried enrichment hall caused by the GBU-57 MOP. The hole has been filled in and a cap has been placed over it. Analysis by: @DAVIDHALBRIGHT1 , @SarahBurkhard , @SFnuclear , and the Good ISIS Team. Related: Isfahan: 2025-07-10 How Russia Saved Its Transcaucasian Allies for Centuries Isfahan: 2025-07-07 BRICS nations condemn Israel over Iran war, in victory for Islamic Republic Isfahan: 2025-07-04 AAR: Scorecard Israel Related: Esfahan: 2025-06-22 Trump says US has bombed Fordo nuclear plant in attack on Iran UPDATE: Trump bombs 3 nuke sites Esfahan: 2024-02-27 IAEA warns Iran building up uranium stockpile, still barring senior monitors Esfahan: 2021-04-10 UN atomic watchdog reports new Iranian breach of nuclear deal |
| Posted by:trailing wife |
| #1 I got to wonder if there's another rathole somewhere nearby. |
| Posted by: Shegum Whetle4937 2025-07-13 10:12 |