Iran hardens nuclear sites amid ongoing talks with US
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized in an interview that Iran must abandon uranium enrichment if it wants to pursue a civilian nuclear program.
JNS - Jewish News Syndicate 3:00 PM
Iran is expanding its nuclear capabilities by constructing underground tunnel complexes beneath Mount Kolang Gaz La, surrounded by extensive security perimeters, according to a Wednesday report by the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS). Based on satellite imagery, the report suggests these tunnels, under development for years, may soon be operational, raising alarms about their potential use for advanced centrifuges or stockpiling bomb-grade uranium.
The findings come as the United States and Iran prepare for a third round of talks this weekend, aiming to revive restrictions on Iran’s uranium enrichment program. Tensions are high, with the U.S. and Israel threatening military action against Iran’s nuclear sites, as reported by Reuters. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists any deal must fully dismantle Iran’s nuclear program, a demand Iran rejects, underscored by its fortified security measures, including a perimeter around the new tunnels and the previously targeted Natanz facility, sabotaged in 2020.
Iran has blocked U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors from accessing these sites, intensifying concerns. IAEA Director-General Raphael Grossi, speaking in Washington on Wednesday, noted that Iran’s use of the tunnels for illicit nuclear activities “cannot be excluded,” describing ongoing disputes with Iran as a “ping pong” game. Iran claims it has no obligation to notify the IAEA about facilities not yet housing radioactive materials, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Israel and others of sabotaging diplomatic efforts.
The U.S. and Israel remain open to military options if diplomacy fails. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a Wednesday interview on The Free Press podcast, stressed that Iran must halt uranium enrichment to pursue a civilian nuclear program. He criticized the 2015 nuclear deal, abandoned by the U.S. in 2018 under President Trump, for granting Iran “permanent concessions” for “temporary” compliance. Rubio expressed cautious hope for diplomacy but warned of potential conflict if talks collapse.
The tunnel complexes’ development, paired with Iran’s defiance of international oversight, highlights the challenges facing negotiators. ISIS president David Albright emphasized the urgency of addressing these facilities, which could significantly enhance Iran’s nuclear capabilities. As diplomatic efforts continue, the fortified complexes signal Iran’s determination to advance its program, complicating efforts to curb its nuclear ambitions and heightening the risk of escalation in an already volatile region.
Image - Reuters
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