Iran Resumes Operations at Damaged Nuclear Site, Satellite Imagery Shows

Iran has resumed operations at a nuclear facility that was damaged in March, according to new satellite imagery indicating "significant renewed activity" and new construction. The images, released by the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS), show "unusually heavy" vehicle traffic and excavation work at the Minzadayi compound, located northeast of Tehran.

This activity suggests Iran is not only cleaning up the site but also reinstating regular operations, ISIS warned on Saturday. The compound is believed to be involved in the research and development of nuclear warheads, based on public reporting and statements from the Israel Defense Forces.

Between early September and early October, substantial vehicle presence was observed, with cars parked outside the security perimeter and passenger vehicles and trucks seen within the compound. ISIS stated in its report that this activity could indicate an Iranian effort to re-establish a nuclear weapons development capability and reconstruct what was lost in the attack.

The satellite images also revealed repairs to what is believed to be a water tank and the addition of a small building near the compound. Israeli aircraft targeted the site on March 3, following joint U.S. and Israeli strikes that occurred three days earlier. Those initial strikes resulted in the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and numerous other top leaders.

This development comes amid reports that Iran has been rebuilding its damaged weapons arsenal over recent months. Despite sustained U.S. and Israeli strikes, the Islamic Republic is said to remain "well-stocked" with both ballistic missiles and anti-ship weapons.

According to Bloomberg, citing Western officials familiar with intelligence assessments, Tehran has maintained its capacity for rapid arms manufacturing. The report also indicated that Russia has been supplying Iran with missiles. A June report by Bloomberg estimated that Iran had retained approximately 75% of its pre-war missile stockpile, potentially including newly supplied Russian missiles.