Movement is once again being seen at Iran’s nuclear sites. Latest satellite images show that Tehran has built new roofs and covers over damaged structures at its two main nuclear centers, Isfahan and Natanz.

After recent satellite images released by Planet Labs PBC, the international community is beginning to believe that Iran may be trying to hide or recover nuclear resources left after the attacks. This is the first major construction work seen at any of the bombed-out nuclear sites since the Israel-Iran war in June.

According to the report of Military.com, due to new roofs, it is becoming difficult for satellites to see the activities happening on the ground. This is also important because Iran has not allowed inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to enter the country. In such a situation, remote monitoring is the only means of monitoring left.

Iran hiding uranium reserves
Experts believe that the purpose of these terraces may be more than any new nuclear construction, but to remove sensitive equipment and uranium reserves buried under the debris, hiding them from the eyes of the world. According to Andrea Stricker of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Iran wants to ensure that Israel or the US cannot see what remains of their attacks.

Natanz and Isfahan are important
Natanz is about 220 kilometers away from Iran’s capital Tehran, which has been Iran’s most important uranium enrichment center. In June, Israel destroyed the main above-ground enrichment unit here, while the US later attacked the underground parts with bunker-buster bombs. Satellite images show that construction of a new roof in Natanz began in December and was completed by the end of the month, although the power system there is said to be still down.

isfahan
A similar roof was built in Isfahan in early January. The Israeli Army said that the attacks here were on units involved in the manufacturing of centrifuges. Apart from this, some tunnels were also seen being filled with soil and one tunnel was strengthened again. The pictures also show continuous excavation at a place called Pickaxe Mountain near Natanz, where analysts believe Iran may be building a new underground nuclear facility.

Satellite images show that Iran has also resumed work on bases related to its ballistic missile program. A site called ‘Taleghan-2’ is being redeveloped at the Parchin military complex near Tehran, which was previously linked to explosive tests involving nuclear weapons.

Trump’s warning
Donald Trump is repeatedly demanding Iran to negotiate a deal on its nuclear program to avoid US attacks. America has sent the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and several guided-missile destroyers to the Middle East.

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