Nuclear Sites
Parchin
Parchin
Parchin first surfaced internationally in August 2004 when ISIS was alerted by ABC News to allegations that the complex, some 30 kilometers southeast of Tehran, was being used for high explosives testing that may be consistent with that used for nuclear weapons research. Commercial satellite imagery of the site was released publicly by ISIS in September 2004. The large complex is dedicated to research, development, and production of ammunition, rockets, and high explosives. The site is owned by Iran’s DIO, and has hundreds of buildings and test sites.
Within the larger complex, there is an isolated, separately secured site at which it was believed the weapons-related research was taking place. Prior to public release of the imagery, the IAEA was aware of the facility through analysis of commercial satellite imagery and its potential for nuclear weapons-related work. Iran initially rebuffed IAEA requests to inspect the site, eventually allowing access to parts of the facility in early 2005.
On November 1, 2005 Agency inspectors were given access to a military site at Parchin and were able to take several environmental samples. The IAEA’s February 2006 report notes that “The Agency did not observe any unusual activities in the buildings visited, and the results of the analysis of environmental samples did not indicate the presence of nuclear material at those locations.” Visual inspection showed that sites were not as capable as suggested by satellite imagery. Although this visit dampened suspicions that this sites was dedicated to high explosive testing for nuclear weapons, suspicions about the Parchin site persist and more inspections are warranted.
site imagery
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Date: Sep 22, 2004
Photo Type: Satellite 
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Date: Aug 13, 2004
Photo Type: Satellite 
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Date: Aug 13, 2004
Photo Type: Satellite 
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Date: Aug 13, 2004
Photo Type: Satellite 
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Date: Aug 13, 2004
Photo Type: Satellite 
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Date: Aug 13, 2004
Photo Type: Satellite 
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Date: Aug 13, 2004
Photo Type: Satellite 
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Date: Aug 13, 2004
Photo Type: Satellite 
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Date: Aug 21, 2002
Photo Type: Satellite 
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Date: May 25, 2000
Photo Type: Satellite 
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