Iran Slows Centrifuge Work, Starts New Tunnels

Recent satellite photos show that Iran has begun to excavate a tunnel facility within a mountain next to its Natanz centrifuge facilit. These images were released today by the Institute for Science and International Security. Photographs of the area taken in January showed no activity in the mountains, but images taken June 11 show new roads leading to possible tunnel entrances, the ISIS analysis says.

The construction has raised concerns at the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Vienna-based U.N. watchdog that monitors Iran's nuclear program. On Friday, an IAEA spokeswoman confirmed that the agency has broached the subject with Iranian officials. "We have been in contact with the Iranian authorities about this, and we have received clarifications," said Melissa Fleming, the spokeswoman. She declined to elaborate.

For more analysis, visit armscontrolwonk.com. [via Washington Post]

Labels: centrifuges, Iran, Natanz, tunnels