Tehran, Feb 18 (.) Recent satellite imagery has revealed new construction and fortification efforts at several sensitive Iranian military and nuclear sites, highlighting rising tensions with Washington and Jerusalem as nuclear negotiations continue under the shadow of potential military escalation.
Experts analysing the images say Iran has erected a concrete shield over a newly developed facility at the Parchin military complex, subsequently covering it with layers of soil in what appears to be a protective measure. The work is taking place at a site reportedly struck by Israel in October 2024, according to regional security sources.
Imagery shows that prior to the reported Israeli strike, a large rectangular building at Parchin stood intact. Post-strike images indicated extensive structural damage. Recent photographs suggest reconstruction is underway, including reinforced overhead protection. Analysts interpret the addition of concrete shielding and earth cover as an attempt to harden the facility against future airstrikes, as per sources.
Located roughly 30 kilometres southeast of Tehran, Parchin has long been regarded as one of Iran’s most sensitive military sites.
Western intelligence agencies have previously alleged that Iran conducted experiments directly linked to nuclear weaponisation two-decades ago, though Tehran has consistently denied the claim, maintaining that its nuclear programme is strictly peaceful, something made heavily doubtful amid the massive 60% nuclear enrichment in Tehran’s uranium deposits.
Satellite analysis has also highlighted activity at the Isfahan nuclear facility complex, one of three uranium-enrichment facilities bombed by the US during Israel’s 12-day conflict with Iran last year in June.
In addition to housing facilities linked to the nuclear fuel cycle, Isfahan contains underground infrastructure where diplomats believe a significant portion of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile has been stored.
The imagery emerges at a delicate moment, as Washington is engaged in negotiations with Tehran over its nuclear programme while having repeatedly warned of direct military action, should diplomacy collapse, with a massive naval build up in the region to back its threat.
Images taken in late January showed that Iran had already begun burying the entrances to two tunnels at the Isfahan site, according to assessments by the Institute for Science and International Security.
A February 9 update also reported that a third entrance had also been filled with soil, effectively sealing all known access points to the tunnel complex.
The institute described the entrances as now “completely buried,” underscoring a deliberate effort to conceal or protect underground assets.
Further satellite evidence indicates that Iran has reinforced tunnel entrances near another nuclear-related site and repaired missile bases struck, some even noted to be fully destroyed, during last year’s conflict, providing further insight into Tehran’s broader strategy of fortification and recovery following attacks attributed to Israel and the US last June.
The visible hardening of key sites may complicate future military planning and add urgency to diplomatic efforts, even as both sides publicly maintain sharply divergent positions.
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