Priyanka Tiwari
Share
New satellite imagery has revealed that Iran is significantly expanding its heavily fortified Fordow nuclear facility, a move that is escalating international concerns about the country's atomic ambitions. The construction at the site, which is buried deep inside a mountain to protect it from air strikes, signals a defiant step forward in Iran's uranium enrichment program.
The images, analyzed by experts, show the construction of a large new building at the Fordow site. This new section will likely be used to house additional cascades of centrifuges—the high-speed machines used to enrich uranium. This expansion would dramatically increase Iran's capacity to produce enriched uranium at this highly protected location.
The timing of this expansion is particularly provocative. It comes after the United States recently conducted military drills simulating an attack on a similar hardened target using powerful "bunker buster" bombs. Furthermore, Iran is already enriching uranium to 60% purity, a level that is technically a short step away from the 90% purity required for a nuclear weapon.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN's nuclear watchdog, has been aware of the construction plans. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi recently expressed grave concern over Iran's lack of transparency and its rapidly advancing nuclear activities. While Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear program is for peaceful energy purposes, this expansion at a near-invulnerable military site is doing little to calm the fears of the West and regional rivals like Israel.
This development deepens the already high-stakes standoff over Iran's nuclear program, increasing mistrust and raising the risk of a wider conflict in the Middle East.
Read More: Khamenei Defends Hijab and Slams Western Culture in Strong Speech
