In October 2024, Israel carried out an airstrike against the secret Taleghan-2 research center, located within the Parchin military complex, southeast of Tehran. The site, previously considered dormant, was destroyed in a move that U.S. and Israeli officials said significantly undermined Iran’s efforts to restart nuclear weapons research.
Axios writes about this.
The Israeli attack was aimed at disrupting Iran’s covert activities that could be used to develop nuclear weapons but were marketed as civilian research. The equipment destroyed, the sources said, included devices for handling plastic explosives needed to detonate a nuclear device. The US representative noted that this work was highly classified and known only to a limited circle of people in the Iranian government.
Iran continues to deny its intentions to develop nuclear weapons. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said last week that the country is not seeking to develop nuclear weapons. However, evidence provided by Israeli and American intelligence indicates otherwise: Parchin was the site of research into explosives, metallurgy, and computer modeling potentially related to weapons development.
According to a former Israeli official, the Taleghan-2 building, which was part of the Amad program that operated until 2003, was completely destroyed. Satellite images confirmed the destruction of the site and advanced equipment used for nuclear research. The sources also said that Israel deliberately chose this target in response to recent Iranian activity in the region.
The incident highlights growing tensions between Iran and Israel amid changes in US policy. Donald Trump’s new administration, which includes anti-Tehran hardliners, could increase pressure on the Islamic Republic. This, in turn, complicates any attempt by Iran to present its actions as peaceful.
American and Israeli officials said the operation sends a clear signal to Tehran that its secret activities are under close surveillance. Despite warnings from the US administration about the risk of war, the Israeli attack on Taleghan 2 demonstrated its determination to stop any steps towards the creation of nuclear weapons.
Previously, Cursor wrote about what Elon Musk’s meeting with the Iranian ambassador means.
If Musk’s meeting with the Iranian ambassador is confirmed, it could signal a change in approach toward Iran.
