Thread by @TheGoodISIS

NEW Institute satellite imagery analysis: Update on Natanz: Construction Progresses Towards Large-scale Tunnel Complex isis-online.org/isis-reports/d… 1/

Since our October 30, 2020, report on the construction of a new centrifuge assembly facility in the mountains near the Natanz enrichment plant, construction has progressed and tunnel entrance locations can now be identified with certainty. 2/

Most importantly, newly available high resolution satellite imagery confirms that construction is progressing rapidly at the largest mountain in the area, the most likely future location for the new underground assembly facility. 3/

A high-resolution January 5, 2021, satellite image we acquired shows the layout of the monitored area, which includes the current construction staging area and future engineering support site, a small mountain south of the support site, and a large mountain south-west of it. 4/

The image shows a total of three excavated tunnel entrances to date; two at the small mountain ridge, and one at the large mountain ridge (also see: isis-online.org/isis-reports/d… and allsourceanalysis.com/wp-content/upl…) 5/

The entrances can be accessed from the support site by following a road leading south and a road leading west, respectively, and are referred to as eastern tunnel entrance and western tunnel entrance areas herein. 6/

Electric powerlines now connect the staging area and eastern tunnel area to the main power grid (the western tunnel area is still in the process of being connected) and there is a new security perimeter that is being installed near the staging area. 7/

Further figures show a close-up of the current construction staging area and future engineering support site; eastern entrances in detail; western tunnel entrance area; and remnants of the destroyed assembly facility at the Natanz enrichment site: 8/

In addition to construction equipment, the construction staging area features several buildings and a partly-established security perimeter. 9/

The eastern tunnel entrances in detail. An expanding spoil pile nearby indicates continued excavation. Storage for construction explosives nearby. 10/

The western tunnel entrance area. An expanding spoil pile nearby indicates continued excavation here as well. More explosives storage buildings. 11/

Lastly, the remains of the original Iran Centrifuge Assembly Center (ICAC), destroyed by an explosion in early July 2020, are now secured by a perimeter fence. 12/

Conclusion: The construction progress to date indicates a large-scale tunnel facility, connecting a small mountain ridge with a large mountain ridge, with enough room to harbor a facility larger in size than the original centrifuge assembly facility. 13/

We assess the most likely location for the new assembly facility is best-protected, centered underneath the large mountain, far away from tunnel entrances. 14/

The tunnel will likely host addtl security structures & blast traps, but could also include additional facilities, labs, storage, etc. 15/15 END