Satellite imagery indicates that Iran has buried the entrances to tunnels at its nuclear complex in Isfahan, according to the Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security, which has monitored Iran’s nuclear facilities for years. The institute believes Tehran may be preparing for a potential strike or raid by the United States, Israel, or both.
Tunnel access sealed and activity halted
The institute reports that satellite images taken on Sunday show two tunnel entrances fully covered with soil, while a third northern entrance displays additional passive defensive measures. Vehicle movement around the entrances no longer appears in the imagery, reinforcing the assessment that operational activity at the site has effectively stopped.
Analysts argue that these actions reflect Iranian concern over a possible airstrike or ground assault. Burying the tunnel entrances could absorb part of the force of an aerial attack and complicate any attempt by special forces to access or destroy highly enriched uranium that may be stored inside. The institute also suggests Iran may have transferred sensitive materials into the tunnels for protection.
Preparations echo earlier military tensions
The organisation notes that similar preparations last appeared in the days leading up to a US summer operation that struck facilities in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. Before Israel launched its 12-day war with Iran in June, the Islamic Republic maintained three core nuclear installations linked to its programme.
The Isfahan facility has mainly produced uranium gas for centrifuge enrichment. Satellite imagery last month showed roof construction at the site, which analysts interpreted as part of an effort to recover remaining assets or debris without revealing what workers removed.
Netanyahu heads to Washington as rhetoric intensifies
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged Iran to negotiate a nuclear agreement to avoid potential American military strikes, which he has also linked to Tehran’s domestic crackdown on protesters.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu travels to Washington today to influence ongoing US-Iran negotiations, according to an Israeli official who spoke to “The Times of Israel” before the departure. Netanyahu requested an earlier White House meeting than originally scheduled, a move some observers interpret as concern over the direction of the talks.
The official said Netanyahu believes any agreement must not only block Iran from pursuing nuclear weapons and eliminate uranium enrichment capability, but also restrict its ballistic missile programme and halt support for militant groups across the Middle East.
Iran warns against interference in diplomacy
Senior Iranian and US officials held talks in Oman last week, which both sides described as positive. Tehran signalled possible concessions regarding its stockpile of enriched uranium but ruled out discussions on its missile programme or regional militia support.
Ahead of Netanyahu’s visit, Iran warned of the “destructive” consequences of outside interference in diplomacy. Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the United States remains Iran’s negotiating counterpart and must decide whether to act independently of what he described as harmful external pressure. He added that Israel has repeatedly opposed diplomatic processes that could lead to regional peace, further raising tensions before the Washington meetings.
NEW: High resolution satellite imagery taken yesterday shows the extent to which Iran has covered the tunnel entrances at the Esfahan nuclear complex with soil. The middle and southern entrances are unrecognizable and fully covered in soil. The northernmost tunnel entrance which… pic.twitter.com/baYI2zCuN0
— Inst for Science (@TheGoodISIS) February 9, 2026
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