Media: Israel destroys key Iranian nuclear facility

An Israeli airstrike on October 25 destroyed a top-secret nuclear weapons research facility in Iran, according to multiple sources, including US and Israeli officials.

The strike, which targeted the Taleghan 2 facility in the Parchin military complex, marks a critical blow to Iran’s ongoing efforts to resume nuclear weapons research, Caliber.Az reports referring to Axios.

The Taleghan 2 facility, located about 20 miles southeast of Tehran, had been dormant since 2003 when Iran officially halted its military nuclear programme. However, recent intelligence revealed that the site had been reactivated to support research that could contribute to nuclear weapons development.

Israeli and US officials confirmed that this activity involved research into explosives needed to trigger a nuclear device, including the design of plastic explosives that surround uranium in a nuclear warhead.

"Recent activity at Parchin included work on scientific projects that could pave the way for the development of nuclear weapons," one US official said. "This was a highly secretive operation, with only a select few within the Iranian government aware of its scope."

Iran has consistently denied any intention to develop nuclear weapons. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reaffirmed this stance last week, stating, "Iran is not after nuclear weapons, period." Despite these denials, the Israeli strike has exposed the covert research ongoing at Parchin.

High-resolution satellite images from the Institute for Science and International Security confirmed that the Taleghan 2 building was completely destroyed, signalling a major disruption to Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

The Israeli attack is part of a broader context of rising tensions between the US and Iran, with the incoming Trump administration anticipated to take a firmer stance on Iran. Israel’s actions also serve as a message to Tehran, demonstrating that Israel has significant intelligence on Iranian nuclear activities, even those kept under the strictest secrecy.

In a rare behind-the-scenes account, US officials disclosed that the Biden administration had asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities to prevent triggering a full-scale war. However, the Taleghan 2 facility was not part of Iran’s publicly declared nuclear programme, making it an ideal target without provoking international backlash.

"The strike sent a clear signal," one US official explained. "Israel has deep insights into Iran’s covert operations, and we know what’s happening even behind the scenes."

This attack follows earlier diplomatic efforts, including direct warnings from US officials to Iran in June about its suspicious nuclear activities. Despite these warnings, Iran continued its research, leading to increased concerns within US intelligence circles, including the Director of National Intelligence, who revised the assessment of Iran's nuclear programme.

As the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) prepares to vote on a censure resolution against Iran for failing to cooperate with the UN nuclear watchdog, tensions are expected to escalate further. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi recently visited Tehran, where Iranian officials reiterated their willingness to negotiate over their peaceful nuclear programme, but rejected any talks under pressure.

Iran's nuclear ambitions continue to be a source of international concern, with the Parchin strike serving as a reminder of the covert nature of its research and the high stakes involved in its nuclear pursuit. As the IAEA convenes next week, the world will be watching to see how Iran responds to mounting pressure from the international community.

By Aghakazim Guliyev