ALBAWABA - American and Israeli sources told Axios that Israel hit a covert Iranian nuclear weapons research center in late October, damaging Iran's nuclear development ambitions.
"Talghan 2" at the Parchin military complex, 20 miles southeast of Tehran, was attacked. Iranian nuclear weapons program "Amad," which was suspended in 2003, included the facility. The attack allegedly damaged sophisticated nuclear weapons development equipment, including plastic explosives design tools.
Earlier this year, U.S. and Israeli intelligence services monitored Iranian scientists at Parchin undertaking computer modeling, metallurgical studies, and explosives research that may help to nuclear weapon development. Officials disclosed that this research was disguised as civilian scientific studies but might be used for military purposes.
In June, American officials warned Tehran about these suspicious actions during bilateral meetings, but Iran maintained its efforts, raising Western intelligence agency concerns. The U.S. officials became concerned about Talghan 2 in the months before the attack.
Axios reports that Israel struck Iran to stop its nuclear development. An unidentified Israeli source said the operation targeted highly sensitive research that only a few Iranian officials knew about. The attack crippled Iran's development in this sector by damaging nuclear device explosives testing equipment.
A top U.S. official said, "Iran was secretly developing nuclear weapons. Most of the Iranian government kept this quiet."
The incident highlights Iran's nuclear aspirations' tensions. Iranian activity at Talghan 2 changed intelligence assessments, raising concerns about its nuclear capability, according to American officials. Israeli officials say such steps are part of wider attempts to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, which may lead to further international conflict.
The attack has not been remarked on by Israel or the US. Analysts say this operation escalates attempts to curtail Iran's nuclear aspirations.
