Iran rebuilds 'Taleqan 2' facility under satellite-proof cover

Recent satellite images have revealed accelerated reconstruction at Iran's Taleqan 2 facility, located within the Parchin military complex southeast of Tehran. Iran has placed a tarp over the damaged, fortified underground section of the site, concealing ongoing construction from satellites and aerial reconnaissance.

The images, taken by FANTOR Technologies on September 13, show intense activity at the site, with dump trucks, bulldozers, concrete pump trucks, mixers, and cranes working to rebuild the facility, according to a Thursday report by the Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security, detailed by The Times of Israel.

The work extends beyond reconstruction, as the images also show a new concrete fortification being built around the right side of the facility's concrete yard. The institute stated that this fortification would provide "additional protection against explosions in the event of an airstrike."

The images indicate that reconstruction began earlier this year, following initial repairs in June 2023. These repairs included fixing and covering breaches caused by several bunker-buster bombs dropped on the facility by Israeli forces.

Taleqan 2 is situated within the Parchin military complex, about 30 kilometers (20 miles) southeast of Tehran.

In its report, the Institute for Science and International Security raised questions about Iran's intentions for restoring the facility, stating: "Fundamental questions remain about Iran's plans for this site, most notably: Why does Iran continue to rebuild it?"

The institute added: "What is clear is that Iran remains determined to reconstruct this facility, a development that raises serious concerns given the site's long history of nuclear weapons-related research and development."