TEHRAN: New satellite imagery appears to show extensive reconstruction activity at Iran’s Taleghan 2 facility inside the Parchin military complex, according to an assessment released by the Institute for Science and International Security on Thursday.
The facility, located about 30 kilometres southeast of Tehran, was damaged in Israeli strikes in October 2024. Reconstruction reportedly began in May 2025 before Israel struck the site again in March 2026, leaving it heavily damaged.
The institute said recent imagery supplied by Vantor Technologies showed renewed construction activity, including heavy machinery and modifications to the structure.
Large Tarp Reportedly Covers Reconstruction Activity
According to the institute, imagery appears to show a large tarp erected above the hardened facility. It assessed that the covering could be intended to conceal reconstruction from satellites or aerial surveillance.
However, the imagery alone does not independently establish the purpose of the covering or Iran’s intended future use of the facility.
The institute said construction vehicles, including bulldozers, dump trucks, cranes, concrete mixers and concrete pump trucks, were visible around the site.
It assessed that repair and rehabilitation work began in June.
Institute Reports New Reinforcement at Taleghan 2
The institute said workers initially repaired and placed concrete caps over penetration holes caused by earlier strikes.
Furthermore, researchers identified what they described as a new concrete reinforcement along one side of the facility, which they assessed could provide additional protection against aerial attacks.
Taleghan 2 has previously been linked by outside analysts to alleged nuclear weapons-related research under Iran’s former AMAD programme.
Nevertheless, the institute said significant questions remain about Tehran’s plans for the reconstructed site.
The assessment reflects the institute’s interpretation of commercial satellite imagery; the supplied report did not include an Iranian response explaining the construction activity.
