Satellite Image Suggests Iran Transferred Highly Enriched Uranium to Isfahan Before US Strikes

Satellite imagery from June 9, 2025 analyzed by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists and Le Monde suggests Iran transferred up to 540 kilograms of highly enriched uranium to an underground complex at Isfahan days before US and Israeli military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The image shows a truck carrying 18 blue containers resembling VPVR/M transport packages designed for radioactive materials entering the Isfahan tunnel complex. Israel struck Iranian nuclear facilities on June 13, 2025, followed by US strikes on Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan on June 22, while the Isfahan underground complex was spared. The IAEA reported in May 2025 that Iran possessed 408.6 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent, but the agency says nine months after the strikes it still does not know the location of Iran's highly enriched uranium due to surveillance disruptions since 2022. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated no intelligence suggested Iran moved uranium before strikes, contradicting former Iranian commander Mohsen Rezaei's June 20 claim that nuclear material had been relocated to secure locations.

Satellite imagery evidence of uranium transfer to Isfahan

• ▪Le Monde informed the Bulletin about the Isfahan satellite image on March 19
• ▪The Isfahan satellite image shows a flatbed or lowbed truck with a platform about 13 meters long and 2.6 meters wide, with a white cabin and a load of 18 blue containers
• ▪The satellite image of Isfahan was taken on June 9, 2025, from one of the two Airbus Pléiades Neo satellites

Iran's uranium enrichment activities and IAEA monitoring breakdown

• ▪The IAEA estimated in May 2025 that Iran had 408.6 kilograms of uranium hexafluoride enriched up to 60 percent uranium 235
• ▪Bloomberg reported in February 2023 that IAEA monitors at Fordow had detected traces of uranium enriched to 84 percent of uranium 235
• ▪IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi's last confirmed physical visit to the Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant and Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant occurred on November 15, 2024
• ▪Iran's shutdown of IAEA surveillance cameras in June 2022 was direct retaliation for an IAEA board of governors resolution criticizing Iran for not explaining uranium traces at three undeclared sites
• ▪Cameras were gradually restored to operation at Iranian nuclear facilities in May 2023
• ▪Iran turned off IAEA surveillance cameras at key nuclear sites including Natanz and Fordow in June 2022

June 2025 Israeli and US military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities

• ▪The Israeli attack on June 13, 2025 reportedly caused significant damage to the Natanz nuclear facility
• ▪Former Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander Mohsen Rezaei said on June 20 that enriched nuclear material had been moved to secure locations
• ▪The United States launched air strikes against Iran's main nuclear sites at Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan on June 22, 2025

Perspective of US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

• ▪Pete Hegseth stated that no intelligence suggested Iran had moved highly enriched uranium ahead of the June 2025 US strikes

Perspective of Former Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander Mohsen Rezaei

• ▪Mohsen Rezaei claimed on June 20, 2025 that Iran had moved enriched nuclear material to secure locations

Perspective of Le Monde and Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists investigators

• ▪Le Monde investigators stated the June 9, 2025 Isfahan satellite image was the first time they observed this type of convoy at the facility after reviewing many satellite images
• ▪The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists and Le Monde analysis indicates Iran likely moved up to 540 kilograms of highly enriched uranium to Isfahan before US strikes