United News of Bangladesh

Satellite imagery has revealed renewed activity at two major Iranian nuclear facilities damaged in airstrikes last year, raising fresh concerns as tensions escalate over Tehran’s violent crackdown on nationwide protests. Images released by Planet Labs PBC show newly constructed roofs covering heavily damaged structures at Iran’s Natanz nuclear enrichment site and the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center. Analysts say the coverings appear designed to block satellite surveillance, potentially allowing Iran to inspect or recover remaining materials out of international view. The activity marks the first significant construction detected at Iran’s bombed nuclear sites since Israel’s 12‑day conflict with Iran in June, followed by U.S. strikes. Iran has denied inspectors from the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) access to the facilities since the attacks. Experts caution the work does not suggest reconstruction of the sites. Instead, it may indicate efforts to assess whether sensitive assets — including stocks of highly enriched uranium — survived the strikes. Read More: China successfully launches new test satellite “These roofs are likely meant to obscure recovery operations rather than rebuild,” said analysts monitoring Iran’s nuclear program. Natanz, Iran’s primary uranium enrichment hub, previously enriched uranium up to 60% purity — close to weapons-grade levels. The above-ground Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant was severely damaged by Israeli strikes, with subsequent U.S. bunker-busting bombs targeting underground halls. At Isfahan, which produces uranium gas used in enrichment, a similar roof now covers a damaged structure near the site’s northeast corner. Satellite images also show tunnel entrances nearby being filled or reinforced, possibly to protect against future attacks. Iran has not commented publicly on the new construction. The IAEA also declined to respond. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Iran to negotiate over its nuclear program, as Washington increases its military presence in the Middle East. Analysts warn the ongoing crisis carries significant nuclear risks.

Russia has issued a stern warning to Israel, advising against any potential attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, labeling such an action as catastrophic. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov emphasized that even contemplating an attack on Iran's nuclear infrastructure would be a grave violation of nuclear security norms, reports TASS “We have repeatedly warned and continue to caution [Israel] against even hypothetically considering the possibility of striking [Iran’s] nuclear facilities. Senior US official warns of North Korean nuclear threats and help for Russia This would be a disastrous move and a complete rejection of established nuclear security principles,” Ryabkov stated. The warning follows an incident on October 1, when Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched a significant missile assault on Israel in response to the deaths of key leaders of Hamas, Hezbollah, and the IRGC. Tehran claimed that 90% of the missiles hit their targets, while Israel reported that most of the 180 missiles fired were intercepted. Israel’s Chief of the General Staff vowed to respond with a surprise attack on Iran at an opportune time. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov further cautioned that targeting Tehran’s peaceful nuclear facilities in retaliation for Iranian missile attacks on Israel would be a highly provocative move.