Satellite Imagery of Iran Nuclear Facilities Spaceknow enables to analyze any location on Earth.
Published by Spaceknow Team, 05. 08. 2016
In January 2016 the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) verified that Iran completed the necessary steps under the Iran deal that ensures the peacefulness of the Iran’s nuclear program.
Since then the West has been lifting sanctions on Iran. The US will only lift nuclear-related sanctions on Iran.
Following satellite imagery presents several major nuclear facilities in Iran between 2009 and 2016. Various levels of activity are observable at each location.
In the past, these sites have raised numerous concerns among the Western leaders. Some of them have been major points of nuclear negotiations.
Iran Nuclear Facilities Under the Iran Deal
Under the Iran deal, Iran agreed to redesign, convert and limit its nuclear facilities.
Particular focus was put on Iran’s uranium-enrichment capabilities, putting serious limitations on uranium-enrichment facilities in Iran – Natanz and Fordow.
Another highly scrutinized facility was the Arak heavy water reactor and production plant that Iran agreed to completely redesign in order not to be able to produce a weapons-grade material.
Among other resolutions, Iran also agreed to allow inspection of all its nuclear facilities and the IAEA inspectors will be able to request visits to military sites. However, it doesn’t guarantee them access to military sites.
Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant
33.724084, 51.722354
Natanz is the primary location of Iran’s nuclear enrichment program. Located 160 miles southeast of Tehran, Natanz is Iran’s oldest and largest uranium enrichment facility.
The central part of the Fuel Enrichment Plant is situated underground, with two cascade halls containing thousands of centrifuges.
Under the Iran deal, Iran must reduce the number of operational centrifuges at Natanz from 19,000 to 5,060. Natanz is also the only facility in which uranium enrichment research and development activities can take place.
All Imagery Ⓒ DigitalGlobe
Dec 21, 2010
All Imagery Ⓒ DigitalGlobe
Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant
34.883878, 50.996246
Fordow is Iran’s second fuel enrichment facility, buried under a mountain in the Great Salt Desert near the holy city of Qom. Before the Iran deal, the bunker was filled with 2,710 centrifuges that could enrich uranium to weapons-grade materials.
Under the nuclear agreement, Iran agreed to stop any uranium enrichment and uranium enrichment R&D at Fordow and turn the plant into a nuclear physics and technology center that will produce radioisotopes for use in medicine, agriculture, industry and science.
Several tunnel entrances to the underground plant are visible. Also, note the double-fence lines surrounding the plant as well as the only security checkpoint in the area. All Imagery Ⓒ DigitalGlobe Dec 12, 2010
All Imagery Ⓒ DigitalGlobe
Arak Nuclear Power Plant
34.37341,49.24078
Arak, “the symbol of Iran’s nuclear industry”, is located about 150 miles southwest of Tehran.
The fate of Arak was a major point of negotiations between Western and Iranian leaders.
Operating the Arak reactor heightened concerns that Iran aimed to build nuclear weapons. Plutonium production at Arak posed another proliferation threat along Iran’s centrifuge program.
Heavy Water Reactor
Iran claimed that the IR-40 heavy water reactor at Arak would be used to produce isotopes for medical and industrial purposes.
However, heavy water reactors produce plutonium byproducts that could be used in nuclear weapons. Arak could produce up to 10 kilograms of plutonium per year, which would be enough for two nuclear weapons.
Under the Iran deal, Iran agreed to rebuild and redesign Arak and not to accumulate any excess heavy water for 15 years so that Iran cannot produce any weapons-grade materials.
To meet the requirements, Iran has removed the core of the reactor and filled its central vessel with concrete.
All Imagery Ⓒ
Aug 18, 2009
All Imagery Ⓒ DigitalGlobe
Heavy Water Production Plant
To supply the reactor, Iran constructed a heavy water production plant that was commissioned in August 2006.
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Poster Comment:
Lots of pictures at source.