A covert agency within Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics is reportedly operating out of top sites linked to its space program, raising international concerns about hidden elements of Iran’s nuclear development program.<\/p>
According to information obtained by Fox News Digital, and relayed by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), Iran’s chief nuclear development agency, the Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research (SPND), has intensified efforts to construct nuclear warheads at locations historically associated with space development. This assertion was backed by intelligence indicating SPND personnel at the Shahroud and Semnan sites, both of which were once recognized solely for space-focused endeavors.
Reportedly, these operations aim to camouflage the true purpose behind technological advancements being made within Iran’s space program, with indications the regime has been utilizing commercial enterprises to mask its initiatives. Alireza Jafarzadeh, deputy director of NCRI’s Washington, D.C., office, emphasized the importance of these findings, stating, “These reports, compiled from dozens of sources and thoroughly validated, indicate significant activities at both sites.”<\/p>
One of the most concerning sites, the Shahroud Space Center, has long been suspected of serving dual purposes, acting both as a space launch facility and as a base for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to develop intermediate-range ballistic missiles. This center first gained global attention with the announcement of the Ghaem-100 rocket, capable of placing low-orbit satellites but also suitable for military applications.<\/p>
Sources familiar with the operations at Shahroud have disclosed insights about SPND’s work related to developing nuclear warheads for the Ghaem-100 missile. With a projected range exceeding 3,000 kilometers (1,800 miles), the missile's design intention has always included the capacity for nuclear payloads, raising alarms about potential threats to regional security.
Beyond the Shahroud Space Center, the Imam Khomeini Spaceport, situated near Semnan, also announced rocket launches earlier last month, highlighting its role as Iran's first spaceport. Notably, recent developments there have revolved around liquid-fuel propellants, offering higher thrust capabilities, and potentially enabling the development of rockets carrying nuclear warheads.
The NRCI has outlined concerns emphasizing the IRGC’s strategy of establishing sophisticated disguises for nuclear activities. “Creating a Space Command of the IRGC’s Aerospace Force has served to camouflage the development of nuclear warheads under the guise of launching satellites,” Jafarzadeh asserted. He warned the international community about Iran’s capacity for deception, urging more scrutiny on the regime's actions beyond mere uranium enrichment metrics.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has earlier cautioned about Iran accumulating some 440 pounds of near weapons-grade uranium enriched to 60% purity, noting it could potentially yield sufficient material for up to five nuclear bombs should enrichment levels rise.<\/p>
There remains widespread concern among global powers about Iran's ambitions, particularly with the rising tensions associated with its regional influence and the precarious nature of its nuclear endeavors. The NCRI report suggested significant progress within the SPND framework, which may shape the course of Iran’s defense and aggression postures.
"It is naive to only focus on calculating the amount or purity of enriched uranium without concentrating on the construction of the nuclear bomb or its delivery system,” Jafarzadeh stated, indicating the multifaceted dimensions of the issue at hand.
Given the recent assertions, the international community faces pressing challenges related to Iran’s nuclear aspirations. Critics contend the regime’s historical proclivity for deceit raises questions about the efficacy of dialogue as shown throughout the previous two decades. They have exploited negotiations to stall efforts aimed at monitoring or accountability.
Calls for decisive actions have increased as Tehran has shown relentless advancement concerning its military capabilities under the guise of civilian technologies. “We need to take full action to reinstate previous UN Security Council resolutions against Iran,” Jafarzadeh stressed, advocating for urgent measures to curtail Iran’s encroaching nuclear program.
The situation has escalated leading to demands for the international community to assert pressure and impose strict penalties on Iran’s infringement of nuclear agreements. “Failure to do so will only embolden the Iranian regime, detrimentally impacting global stability and security,” observers have warned.
The revelations about Iran's covert operations at strategic sites paired with its deceptive outreach toward nuclear capabilities demonstrate the complexity of the challenges at hand. Compelling evidence suggests the necessity for heightened vigilance and decisive international responses to these developments if peace and security are to be prioritized moving forward.
“Now is the time to hold the regime accountable for its actions, both within Iran and concerning its regional behavior,” Jafarzadeh concluded, arguing for the imperative of proactive strategies against the regime.