File image.
The Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) reported activities at one of Iran’s most secretive nuclear sites, citing satellite images from Maxar, Vantor, and Airbus which were taken between the end of September and early October.
In a report published on October 16, the Washington-based institute said that the middle of three entrances at Isfahan Nuclear Technology Research Center, which were previously blocked by earth and rubble, had been cleared leaving the tunnel portal’s door visible as of September 26.
The institute noted activities by heavy machinery in front of this entrance as well as the northernmost entrance on September 30, concluding that “rushing to get inside the tunnels, Iran is preparing controlled and secure access to two of the three tunnel entrances, and possibly hardening the entrances and utilities against future strikes.”
The southernmost tunnel entrance remains blocked by earth and rubble, according to the satellite images viewed by the institute.
Satellite imagery taken by Maxar, now Vantor, and Airbus at the end of September and early October shows activity at the Esfahan tunnel entrances. As of September 26, the second of three entrances (the middle entrance) which was previously blocked by earth and rubble has been… pic.twitter.com/PskgRPfoRz
— Inst for Science (@TheGoodISIS) October 16, 2025
Isfahan was one of three Iranian nuclear sites attacked by the United States during Israel’s 12-day war on the Islamic Republic last June, in what was later codenamed “Operation Midnight Hammer.”
The other two sides, uranium enrichment plants in Fordow and Natanz, were mainly hit by over a dozen GBU-57A/B massive bombs dropped from B-2 Spirit stealth bombers. However, Isfahan was stuck with BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from a nuclear submarine that is thought to be the Ohio-class USS Georgia.
ISIS’ latest report is worrying to say the least. Not because Iranian activities in Isfahan are unusual. In fact, the institute itself acknowledges that “the extent of damage to the tunnels remains unclear.” But rather because the speculations in the report could be used by Israel to escalate again against the Islamic Republic.
While the U.S. and Israel claimed that Iran’s nuclear program was set back years by the war, they both committed to reattacking the Islamic Republic if it resumes nuclear activities.
President Donlad Trump recently said that Iran is too focused on survival to rebuild its nuclear program. However, he renewed his warning to the Islamic Republic.
“Today, Iran is trying to survive. When I heard the reports two weeks ago, Iran is looking to build a nuclear weapon. I said, don’t worry about it,” Trump told reporters in the White House on October 15.
“I said the last thing they want to do is a nuclear weapon. It didn’t work out. And if they did a nuclear weapon, before they got even close, that site would be attacked and it would be wiped out,” he added.
It’s no secret that both Israel and Iran have been preparing for another round of fighting. The U.S. also made some usual military moves in the Middle East in recent weeks.
Israel will not likely be able to attack Iran again without the approval of the U.S. That being said, any future attack will likely rely heavily on the element of surprise as the Islamic Republic is very cautious, meaning no political escalation is to be expected before.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence
NOW hosted at southfront.press
Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org.
The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation
Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com
khamenei belongs in a nursing home his mania will be iran’s undoing.
john boltons like you can’t even make up your mind which country you want to bomb, it is a different one every day. the common source of all conflict is the cancerous ideology growing in your own head like it was with mccain
if iran does not get nukes, they might as well hand in a surrender document
their nuclear program – which does _not_ include nuclear weapons – was not damaged to anywhere near the extent that the pentagon claims – americans and israelis have a common habit of bombastic overstatement. iran’s defensive capabilities are a massive ballistic/hypersonic arsenal that was within days of destroying israel when netanyahou went crying to trump after 12 days to get iran to stop. they have been warned. next time iran will finish the job. ‘fool’ around, find out.
ακριβως ετσι !!!
they don’t need them they claim their plasma bomb is stronger then a nuke
south front is still now a front for home working scams from grifters.
γιατι αραγε ?
nonsense, israeli hasn’t the courage nor the bottle to do anything unless they have the control of serving american senators! for seventy five years they have relied on the cia and american military!