New satellite imagery appears to show renewed construction activity at two suspected Iranian nuclear-related sites, Pickaxe Mountain and Parchin, raising fresh concerns about Tehran’s intentions.
According to CNN, which reviewed images obtained from private satellite firms, both locations show “major signs” of activity after sustaining heavy damage in US- and Israeli-led bombing campaigns that began in late February.
The apparent rebuilding could place Iran at odds with a Memorandum of Understanding reached last month by Iranian and US negotiators during a cease-fire. President Trump later declared that cease-fire “over” after Iranian attacks on shipping vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
Parchin, a site repeatedly targeted by US and Israeli forces during the joint air campaign launched on Feb. 28, had previously been covered by Iran with a protective concrete shield.
Satellite images from June 10 showed several large blast holes at the site, but those openings appeared to have been covered just 12 days later.
By July 7, the damaged areas had been concealed with mesh material, while concrete mixer trucks could be seen positioned nearby, suggesting preparations for further work.
David Albright, founder of the Institute for Science and International Security, described the imagery as showing “significant, new attempted reconstruction activity” in an analysis published Saturday.
The organization’s new paper said early June imagery appeared to show damage assessment and cleanup, including debris removal and temporary coverings over three impact holes at the buried facility. More recent images, however, indicate renewed work around those holes for what may be more permanent sealing, along with additional concrete hardening at the site. The report was released Saturday as Iranian and Omani officials met in Muscat amid a US ultimatum demanding that the Strait of Hormuz remain open.
The Parchin Military Complex has long been suspected of housing secret nuclear activities.
International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors visited the site in 2004 and 2005, and said they were denied access to certain areas in 2006.
The complex also houses missile production facilities, which produce the weapons Iran uses to menace its US allied neighbors in the Gulf region.
Its Teleghan 2 site was hit twice in the latest phase of the Iran war – first around March 11, and then again sometime between March 24 and April 1, according to reports.
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All the while Tehran has repeatedly displayed its determination to rebuild it.
“This work shows a commitment by Iran to rebuild and reconstitute the capabilities previously lost, despite the immense damage at the site,” the Institute for Science and International Security report said. “This would be the second attempt at reconstruction.”
Other images show vehicles traveling in and out of the regime’s Pickaxe Mountain facility, which western intelligence agencies have long suspected of housing nuclear enrichment activities deep underground.
The MOU states that Iran will “maintain the current status quo of its nuclear program,” which would seem to disallow new construction.
Meanwhile, satellites did not appear to pick up activity at some of Iran’s most notorious nuclear sites like Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan.
