
Did Iran really transfer its nuclear materials? An expert explains
Following the rapid escalation between Iran and Israel, questions have been raised regarding where or not Iran was truthful about transferring its nuclear materials, or how it even did so.
The US launched an attack early Sunday morning, targeting three nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
Trump described the attack as 'successful.'
Meanwhile, Reuters reported a senior Iranian source as saying that most of the highly enriched uranium at Iran's Fordow nuclear facility had been moved to an undisclosed location prior to the US attacks.
The former head of the Egyptian Nuclear Power Plants Authority, Amjad al-Wakeel, clarified as to how Iran was able to pull this off.
Special Containers and Tunnels
Wakeel stated in a post on his Facebook account that despite the difficulty of conclusive confirmation without more official information, Iran transferred approximately 500 kilograms of highly enriched uranium at 60 percent, from the Fordow and Natanz sites.
Nuclear materials can be transferred using special containers, via specially equipped vehicles, possibly civilian vehicles, for camouflage purposes, or through special tunnels.
Regarding the International Atomic Energy Agency's cameras installed at nuclear facilities, Wakeel raised the possibility that they might be faulty, have limited access, were not fully installed, or that the agency had not received their data in real time.
Monitoring Takes Time
On the surveillance and reconnaissance role of satellites, the former head of the Nuclear Power Plants Authority noted that although they record images around the clock, these images require careful analysis and a specialized team, which could give Iran a margin of time to act without immediate detection.
'As for international intelligence agencies, no matter how capable they are, deception and misinformation are always possible, and no security system is completely immune to surprises. This possibility is further heightened by the reactions coming from Iran,' he explained.
Wakeel concluded his post by saying, 'Ultimately, these questions remain fundamental and sensitive and reveal the need to reassess the results of the US strike.'
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Al-Ahram Weekly
an hour ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
🔴LIVE UPDATES: Israel says hit multiple targets in Tehran responsible for 'maintaining regime stability' - Region
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Egypt Independent
an hour ago
- Egypt Independent
In strong show of support, Putin hosts Iranian foreign minister at the Kremlin
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Moscow on Monday, as Israeli forces continued to strike Tehran. The Russian leader condemned US attacks on Iran and reassured the Iranian delegation that the people of Iran can count on Russia for support. A short video released by the Kremlin shows Putin meeting the Iranian delegation in an ornate room, accompanied by his Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Yury Ushakov, a top-level aide and former Russian ambassador to Washington. 'This act of aggression against Iran has no grounds and no justification. We have long-standing, friendly and reliable relations with Iran, and we, for our part, are making efforts to support the Iranian people,' Putin said, while stating his belief that the United States was provoked by Israel to launch the attack. Putin told Araghchi he held phone calls with US President Donald Trump, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President of the United Arab Emirates Mohammed Al Nahyan and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. He did not specify the timing of these conversations, and the Kremlin said on Sunday there was no plan for Putin to speak to Trump after the US strikes against Iran. Araghchi thanked Putin for his support and said Russia was 'on the right side of history.' He also hailed the close relationship between Tehran and Moscow which he said, 'grew even closer in recent years.' More on Iran-Russia alliance: Iran has been among Russia's strongest backers after Putin launched a full-scale unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Iranian regime has supplied Russia with weapons, including short-range ballistic missiles and thousands of Shahed drones and, according to US officials, built a drone factory in Russia. Moscow in turn has stood by Iran during the conflict with Israel and after the US strikes. 'In relation to the nuclear program — Russia has been a partner, and they helped us. Also, Russia has been present during the nuclear talks and they played a significant role,' Araghchi said. Russia built and is still involved in the running of the Bushehr power plant in southern Iran, the country's only nuclear power plant. Putin said last week that some 200 Russian experts are at the facility and he thanked Israel for agreeing to 'ensure' their safety.