Axios: An Active Research Center Linked to Iran's Nuclear Weapons Was Destroyed in an Israeli Attack

Several American and Israeli officials have claimed that Israel destroyed an "active" research center "related to nuclear weapons" in Parchin during an attack on November 5. The Axios news website reported this on Friday, November 25, citing three American officials, one current and one former Israeli official. According to the report, the Israeli attack on this research center dealt a severe blow to Iran's efforts to "resume the military aspect" of its nuclear research. Axios sources stated that one of the targets of the Israeli attacks in November was the "Taleqan 2" facility located in the Parchin military complex, about thirty kilometers southeast of Tehran. This facility was part of Iran's nuclear weapons program until about twenty years ago, which was halted in 2003. According to the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS), Iran used this center to test explosives needed to activate a nuclear warhead trigger. High-resolution satellite images from this institute show that the Taleqan 2 facility was completely destroyed in the Israeli attack. A former Israeli official who spoke with Axios stated that in the attack on this center, complex equipment specifically designed for the production of plastic explosives necessary for activating a nuclear warhead trigger was completely destroyed. American and Israeli sources at Axios claimed that recent activities at the Taleqan 2 facility were part of Tehran's efforts for dual-use military and civilian research. An American official claimed that this research was "highly classified" and that other government officials were unaware of it except for a small group within the Iranian government. Accordingly, Israeli and American security and intelligence agencies had noticed these research activities in Parchin since early 2024, including computer modeling by Iranian scientists and metallurgy and explosive-related research. The Iranian representation at the United Nations did not comment on Axios's report. Iran has consistently denied seeking nuclear weapons. Last week, Abbas Araqchi, the Iranian Foreign Minister, stated, "Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons. Period!" Axios reported on July 18 of this year in another report about a "private warning" from the United States to Iranian officials regarding "suspicious" research activities. According to American officials, Washington hoped this clear and direct warning would halt Iran's activities, but that did not happen. Consequently, these developments even led to a change in the assessment of the U.S. Director of National Intelligence regarding Iran's nuclear program. The Wall Street Journal reported on August 9 that Avril Haines had removed a key sentence from her report to Congress that had been repeated in similar reports in recent years, stating that "Iran is not currently engaged in key activities to develop nuclear weapons." The new Axios report containing quotes from American and Israeli officials about the Taleqan 2 facility was published simultaneously with the visit of the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to Iran. Rafael Grossi, ahead of the next Board of Governors meeting, visited Iran for two days, during which he visited two of the country's nuclear facilities and met with senior Iranian officials, including the President, Foreign Minister, and head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran. Both Abbas Araqchi and Mohammad Eslami, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, informed Mr. Grossi of Tehran's willingness to resume negotiations with the three European countries involved in the JCPOA, including Britain, Germany, and France. However, both Iranian officials emphasized that they would not engage in talks under "pressure and intimidation." Meanwhile, some reports indicate that European powers are attempting to issue a punitive resolution against Iran at the upcoming Board of Governors meeting.