Watchdog: Iran ‘sanitizing’ bombed nuclear facility

Satellite imagery shows Iran rushing to clear rubble from the Mojdeh facility near Tehran, with analysts warning the cleanup is meant to prevent inspectors from uncovering illicit nuclear activity.

By World Israel News Staff

Iran is rapidly working to erase evidence of nuclear weapons development at a site bombed by Israel during June’s Rising Lion war, according to a new report from the Institute for Science and International Security.

The nonpartisan group, composed of independent scientific researchers and led by former United Nations nuclear inspector David Albright, raised concerns about a potential nuclear cover-up in Iran.

Recent satellite imagery of the Mojdeh site, near Tehran, “shows a significant effort by Iran to rapidly demolish damaged or destroyed buildings, likely to sanitize any incriminating nuclear weapons research and development activities,” the institute said.

“The rapid work by Iran to quickly demolish and clear the rubble of these important buildings appears to be an effort to sanitize the site and limit the availability of any possible future inspection from obtaining” proof of nuclear weapons activity, it added.

The Iranian government has not responded to requests for comment from multiple news agencies regarding the report.

The revelations about the apparent cover-up at Mojdeh come as the deadline for Iran to reach a new nuclear deal with European countries draws near.

Following the end of June’s fighting between Israel and Iran, the Islamic Republic agreed to return to the negotiating table for talks aimed at curbing Tehran’s nuclear program. However, reports suggest that little progress has been made, with the end of August set as the deadline for an agreement.

If no deal is reached, European countries are expected to impose new sanctions on Iran, potentially delivering another blow to its already embattled economy.

Tehran has consistently claimed that its nuclear program — long shrouded in secrecy and often closed to International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors — is solely for civilian purposes.