Did Israel destroy Iran's top secret nuclear weapons research facility?

Israel's attack on Iran on October 26 destroyed a top-secret nuclear weapons research facility operating at the Parchin military site in southern Iran, according to Axios, citing US and Israeli officials.

One of the targets of the Israeli attack on October 26 was the Taleghan 2 facility in the Parchin military complex, more than 32 km southeast of the Iranian capital Tehran, according to the Axios news site on November 15, citing a number of Israeli and US officials.

Satellite image of the Parchin military complex in Iran from November 2022 by Maxar Technologies (USA)

Photo: Axios screenshot

The Taleghan 2 facility was part of Iran's Amad nuclear weapons program until Iran suspended its military nuclear program in 2003. The facility was used to test explosives needed to detonate a nuclear device, according to the US-based Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS).

High-resolution satellite imagery obtained by ISIS after the October 26 Israeli attack shows the Taleghan 2 building completely destroyed.

A former Israeli official briefed on the October 26 strike said the strike destroyed sophisticated equipment used to design the plastic explosives that surround uranium in a nuclear device and are needed to detonate the device.

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The attack, which targeted a site previously reported as inactive, has significantly damaged Iran's efforts over the past year to continue its nuclear weapons research, according to Axios , citing several Israeli and US officials.

Israeli and US officials say recent activity at the Taleghan 2 facility is part of an Iranian effort to conduct research that could potentially be used to develop nuclear weapons, but could also be research for civilian purposes.

US and Israeli intelligence began detecting nuclear weapons research at Parchin earlier this year, with Iranian scientists conducting computer modeling, metallurgy and explosives research that could be used for nuclear weapons.

In June 2023, White House officials privately warned Iran in direct conversations about such suspicious research, according to Axios . The US hoped that warning would cause Tehran to halt its nuclear activities, but they continued, according to several US officials.

A US official added that in the months before Israel's October 26 strike there was "widespread concern" about Iranian activity at the Taleghan 2 facility.

Iran's mission to the United Nations declined to comment on the report. Iran has denied pursuing nuclear weapons. Last week, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said: "Iran is not pursuing nuclear weapons."

The incoming administration of US President-elect Donald Trump will include several key national security and foreign policy officials with a hardline stance on Iran , which could lead to increased US pressure on Tehran, according to Axios .

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/israel-da-pha-huy-co-so-nghien-cuu-vu-khi-nhat-nhan-tuyet-mat-cua-iran-185241116112425216.htm