Exclusive: New fortifications for Iranian nuclear facilities in anticipation of US strikes
Iran's Atomic Energy Organization transfers uranium and studies dismantling GBU-57 bombs to improve defenses.
Translated by Qiyas from الجريدة — Original source
The source, who previously worked at the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization, stated that the organization had been distributing highly enriched uranium and transporting it to fortified storage sites in various parts of the country, aiming to reduce the risk of it being targeted or accessed in the event of new strikes on nuclear facilities.
In contrast, the source spoke of dozens of undeclared nuclear sites, claiming they house modern enrichment equipment, in addition to the known Natanz, Isfahan, Fordow, and Arak facilities, which were subject to partial inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The source, who is well-versed in Iran’s defensive measures, said that, according to his account, Tehran managed to extract some information from the disassembly of several unexploded American GBU-57 bombs that had been used against the Fordow and Natanz facilities during the 12-day war, as well as during the current conflict.
He added that this information may have contributed to the development of defensive fortifications around certain facilities, with the aim of enhancing their ability to withstand bunker-busting bombs.
According to the source, Iranian military engineers believe that several American bunker-busting bombs rely on similar technologies. Therefore, the measures taken by Iran may, in Iran’s assessment, provide a higher level of protection against a range of such weapons.
The source did not rule out the possibility that the United States, in the event of resumed strikes, might resort to using weapons containing low-enriched uranium to target Iranian nuclear facilities, warning that the use of such weapons could lead to radioactive contamination, making it difficult to return to certain sites for an extended period. He believed that such a scenario might prompt Tehran to reconsider certain aspects of its nuclear doctrine.
Regarding nuclear capabilities, the source claimed that his country currently possesses materials that, in the event of a political decision and the availability of the necessary technical conditions, could be sufficient to produce up to 25 nuclear warheads. According to the source, if accurate, Iran’s possession of such quantities may be one of the factors Washington considers when evaluating its military options.
