Satellite images suggest Iran salvaging nuclear material from bombed sites

Satellite image from Planet Labs PBC shows the rubble of the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant at Iran's Natanz nuclear enrichment site on Dec. 3, 2025. (Planet Labs PBC via AP)

New satellite imagery indicates Iran may be attempting to recover nuclear materials from facilities damaged in Israeli and U.S. airstrikes last year, according to Western experts.

Images captured by Planet Labs PBC show new roofs constructed over bombed structures at Iran’s Isfahan and Natanz nuclear sites — the first visible activity at the facilities since Israel’s 12-day war with Iran in June. Analysts say the coverings appear designed to block satellite surveillance and obscure activity on the ground, at a time when Iran has barred International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors from accessing the sites.

Experts say the work is unlikely to signal reconstruction. Instead, it may be aimed at assessing whether sensitive assets — including stocks of highly enriched uranium — survived the strikes.

“They want to recover whatever they can without Israel or the United States seeing what survived,” said Andrea Stricker of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

Natanz, Iran’s primary uranium enrichment site, was heavily targeted during the war. Israel struck the above-ground Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant on June 13, destroying it and damaging underground centrifuge halls. U.S. bunker-busting bombs followed days later, likely devastating what remained underground. Satellite images show Iran completed a roof over the destroyed enrichment building by late December, while the site’s electrical infrastructure appears unrepaired.

Imagery also shows continued excavation near Natanz at a nearby mountain believed to be the site of a new underground nuclear facility.

At Isfahan, Iran has completed a similar roof over a damaged building near the site’s northeast corner. Israel previously said its strikes there targeted centrifuge manufacturing facilities. Nearby tunnels have been filled with dirt to prevent missile penetration, while one tunnel appears to have been reopened and reinforced.

Analysts say the pattern points to concealment rather than rebuilding. “This looks like asset recovery, not repair,” said Sarah Burkhard of the Institute for Science and International Security.

The activity comes as tensions rise over Iran’s violent crackdown on protests and amid renewed U.S. pressure for Tehran to negotiate limits on its nuclear program. Iran has not commented on the satellite findings.

Key Takeaways

• Iran appears to be hiding activity at bombed nuclear sites by building roofs over damaged facilities at Natanz and Isfahan, blocking satellite monitoring.

• Experts believe Tehran is salvaging surviving assets, potentially including highly enriched uranium left after Israeli and U.S. strikes.

• IAEA inspectors remain locked out, leaving satellites as the only means of oversight — now partially blinded.

• No real reconstruction underway, suggesting recovery and concealment, not repair.

• Moves come as tensions spike over Iran’s protest crackdown and renewed U.S. military pressure to force nuclear negotiations.

SOURCE: THE TIMES OF ISRAEL

Their government wont be around long enough to make any progress other than digging some holes.

US bunker busters--is the US selling them to the Israelis?

When is the US going to negotiate limits on itsown nuclear production?

Hey, I've got an idea! Why don't we just abolish nuclear weapons altogether!

Sign the effing treaty, you maniacs!

20 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

When is the US going to negotiate limits on itsown nuclear production?

When is Israel going to be called out on its nuclear weapons ??

perhaps Iran will be the one to do it ?

23 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Sign the effing treaty, you maniacs!

As always, it's one rule for me and one rule for ye !