Iran’s Covert Nuclear Agency Operates from Key Space Program Sites

Iran’s Covert Nuclear Agency Operates from Key Space Program Sites

FIRST ON FOX: A covert agency within Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics is operating from prime locations associated with the country’s space program. This agency is pivotal in the development of Iran’s nuclear program.

The Iranian government has concealed elements of its nuclear development activities under the facade of commercial projects. Furthermore, it is suspected that the space program is being leveraged to advance technologies applicable to nuclear weapons.

According to exclusive information obtained by Fox News Digital, the Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research (SPND), which is Iran’s principal nuclear development agency, has been actively functioning from two well-established space launch sites. This critical information, gathered over several months, reveals the extent of Iran’s covert operations.

Evidence of Nuclear Development

Reports compiled from numerous sources and thoroughly validated indicate a recent intensification of efforts to construct nuclear warheads at the Shahrud and Semnan sites, as stated by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). This organization, which represents Iranian opposition and is based in Washington, D.C. and Paris, has been vocal about Iran’s clandestine nuclear ambitions.

The deputy director of the NCRI’s Washington office, Alireza Jafarzadeh, first revealed information about Iran’s secretive nuclear program to the world back in 2002. Now, his organization has once again brought attention to alarming developments.

Locations of Concern

One of the sites, the Shahroud Space Center, has been suspected of serving the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the development of intermediate-range ballistic missiles. Recent reports suggest that a considerable contingent of SPND personnel is now stationed there, which has raised significant alarm among international observers.

In 2022, the Shahroud Space Center captured headlines when Iran announced the creation of the Ghaem-100 rocket. While touted as a means to launch low-orbit satellites, this rocket also has the potential to act as a ballistic missile with a range nearing 1,400 miles. This capability exceeds that of its predecessor, the Qased rocket.

Further investigations reveal that experts from SPND are reportedly engaged in developing a nuclear warhead designed for the Ghaem-100 missile, which boasts a mobile launch pad and a range exceeding 1,800 miles.

Nuclear Capabilities of Ghaem-100

The Ghaem-100 missile raises critical questions about Iran’s military capabilities. The production trajectory indicates that the missile was engineered from the outset to accommodate a nuclear warhead. Brigadier General Hassan Tehrani Moghaddam, recognized as a crucial figure in the IRGC’s missile program, reportedly championed this project.

While it remains unclear what specific nuclear payload the Ghaem-100 could carry, the potential for long-range delivery is concerning. Its capabilities are still below the threshold needed to classify it as an intercontinental missile, which necessitates a range of approximately 3,400 miles.

Semnan and Its Strategic Importance

Another key location is the Imam Khomeini Spaceport in Semnan, Iran’s first spaceport. This site recently drew international attention following the launch of Iran’s heaviest rocket, which relied on a liquid propellant. This newly enhanced capability allows for significant payload capacity, estimated at roughly 660 pounds.

According to NCRI reports, Iran is engaged in developing liquid-fuel propellants like those used in the Simorgh rocket, which also has a range of more than 1,800 miles. This advancement in technology plays a crucial role in Iran’s missile capabilities.

Potential Threats

Experts suggest that liquid fuel presents advantages in terms of thrust and control, but it comes at the cost of complexity and weight. Jafarzadeh commented that the establishment of a Space Command for the IRGC’s Aerospace Force appears to mask the true intention of nuclear warhead development under the guise of satellite launches.

The International Atomic Energy Agency recently reported that Iran has amassed around 440 pounds of near-weapons-grade uranium, enriched to the 60% purity level. While this amount falls short of the 90% threshold required for bomb-grade uranium, it is still a substantial concern. With as little as 92 pounds of enriched uranium needed for a nuclear bomb, this puts Iran dangerously close to developing multiple nuclear weapons.

Conclusion

As scrutiny of Iran’s nuclear activities persists, Jafarzadeh urges the international community not to overlook the broader implications of Iran’s military programs. He emphasizes the criticality of addressing both uranium enrichment and the associated delivery systems. All aspects are integral to the regime’s potential to develop an atomic bomb.