Satellite imagery shows heavy damage at Iranian nuclear test facility

The Israel Defense Forces said it struck another facility tied to Iran’s nuclear weapons development program as part of ongoing operations during Operation Rising Lion, targeting what it described as critical infrastructure used to advance Tehran’s nuclear capabilities.

According to the military, Israeli Air Force jets struck the Taleghan compound near Tehran after intelligence indicated the site was being used to support sensitive weapons research. 

The facility was allegedly involved in the development of advanced explosives and experiments linked to the covert AMAD Project, which focused on nuclear weapons development in the early 2000s.

The IDF said the compound had previously been targeted in October 2024 but was recently identified as undergoing rehabilitation efforts by Iranian authorities. Israeli officials said the latest strike was intended to prevent the site from being restored and used again for nuclear-related activities.

The operation follows a broader campaign aimed at dismantling what Israel describes as the Iranian regime’s nuclear weapons infrastructure. Earlier this month, Israeli forces also targeted the Minzadehei compound, another site linked by Israeli intelligence to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Satellite imagery taken on March 11 appears to show extensive damage at the Taleghan facility. Analysis conducted by the Institute for Science and International Security using images provided by satellite company VantorTech indicates that the Taleghan-2 complex was struck by multiple bunker-buster munitions designed to penetrate hardened underground structures.

The imagery shows three large penetration holes in the roof of the facility, suggesting the bombs were intended to reach underground sections of the site. Analysts believe the strikes were aimed directly above an area believed to house a high-explosive testing chamber used in advanced weapons experiments.

The pattern of destruction indicates the munitions likely penetrated deep into the structure before detonating. Satellite images show blast effects spreading outward from inside the facility, collapsing internal sections and causing damage to surrounding structures.

According to the analysis, the force of the explosions knocked down a protective defensive wall and destroyed a nearby building southeast of the compound due to the blast concussion. Additional imagery shows the fire-control and instrumentation building at the nearby Taleghan-1 facility was also completely destroyed.

The penetration points appear aligned along the length of the main high-explosive test chamber, suggesting the strike was precisely targeted at the facility’s core infrastructure.

The Taleghan complex had been under development for several years and construction reportedly continued even after the regional escalation that began in June 2025.

Iranian authorities have not publicly commented on the reported damage.