Satellite imagery taken on Thursday showed significant renewed activity at a site in Iran called Minzadehei, believed to be linked to the development of nuclear weapons, just northeast of Tehran, after Israel struck the site in March, according to The Institute for Science and International Security.
The institute reviewed high-resolution satellite images of the nuclear weapons facility from VANTOR Technologies. The imagery uncovered regular vehicle activity around the site, and extensive cleanup efforts after Israeli strikes in March destroyed several buildings and likely underground structures as well.
The site, identified by the IDF as Minzadehei, is located on the northeastern outskirts of Tehran. IDF Chief Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Effie Defrin said in March that the site was linked to Iran’s nuclear weapons development efforts. The IDF said intelligence had tracked Iranian nuclear scientists traveling to the site before the strike.
More activity at sites allegedly connected to Iran's nuclear program
The IDF said the compound was designed to restore technology and advance capabilities needed to develop nuclear weapons, although it did not identify the specific component being developed there.
The facility contained aboveground buildings and structures built into the surrounding hillside. The Institute for Science and International Security said satellite imagery showed a highly secured compound with buildings, roads, and structures partially embedded in the hillside.
The renewed activity at Minzadehei comes as other signs have emerged of Iran rebuilding parts of its nuclear program.
In September, Israeli intelligence presented information indicating that Iran was carrying out new construction at the Pickaxe Mountain site, a mountainous facility south of Tehran that has been identified as a possible location for restoring parts of Iran’s nuclear program. The reporting did not establish that uranium enrichment was taking place there.
Yonah Jeremy Bob and Idan Kweller contributed to this report.