Large Cylindrical Installation Raises Fresh Questions About Possible Explosive Testing Facility
New satellite imagery shows that Iran’s regime has installed a large cylindrical structure at the “Taleghan-2” complex—one of the former weaponization development sites associated with the military-run “Amad Plan.” The scale of the structure, together with the history of the site, is prompting renewed concerns about the possible purpose of this construction.
The Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) reported that satellite images taken between September and November 2025 reveal a cylindrical object approximately 36 meters long and 12 meters in diameter, placed inside a larger reinforced metal structure roughly 40 meters long and 17 meters wide.
ISIS emphasized that there is no definitive evidence that the newly installed structure is being used for nuclear weapons–related experiments. However, the location, architectural layout, and previous activity at Taleghan-2 make the development “noteworthy and concerning.”
A Site Long Linked to Iran’s Weaponization Efforts
Under the Amad Plan—Tehran’s secret nuclear weapons project documented by the IAEA—Taleghan-2 served as a core site for explosive testing. Before Israeli airstrikes in November 2024, it housed equipment for producing high-purity PETN, a powerful, stable, moldable explosive used in internal components of nuclear explosion-wave generators.
According to ISIS, a smaller explosive test chamber previously existed at the site. That chamber was embedded in a reinforced foundation and concrete structure designed to allow X-ray imaging of internal detonation experiments, a typical configuration used in nuclear weaponization research.
Taleghan-2 lies less than 200 meters from Taleghan-1, another facility where a larger explosive chamber was once used for nuclear weapons development.
Construction Began Months Before the Recent War
The institute notes that construction at the site began months before the “12-Day War”, and current imagery shows significant progress. The cylindrical structure is positioned at the center of a strengthened metal enclosure, surrounded by natural rock walls created by mountain cuts—an arrangement that can provide containment and shielding.
Two arched metal openings appear on either side of the chamber. According to the assessment, these could potentially serve as blast traps, a design element used to direct or absorb shock waves during explosive testing.
Images from November 14 also show three rectangular openings on the roof of the metal enclosure, likely intended for ventilation or aerial access to the chamber.
Signs of Concealment and Reinforced Protection
Satellite images further indicate that Iran attempted to obscure the structure from overhead observation. A large dark rectangular cover was placed over the building until early September. After its removal, the full structure—including the cylindrical installation—became visible.
Other features include:
- A large mound of earth atop the structure, likely intended for burial or additional shielding against internal blasts or airstrikes.
- New concrete foundations built around the main building, reinforcing the overall stability of the complex.
These elements suggest deliberate efforts to strengthen the facility against both external and internal forces.
Unanswered Questions About Purpose and Intent
ISIS concludes that while satellite imagery cannot conclusively identify the ultimate purpose of the new installation, the size of the chamber, the weapons-related history of Taleghan-2, and its proximity to other Amad sites raise “significant questions” about Iran regime’s activities.
The combination of concealment efforts, reinforced construction, and the installation of a large experimental-scale cylindrical chamber underscores the strategic importance Iran appears to assign to the site.
As Iran’s regime continues to expand and harden facilities connected to its past weaponization work, analysts warn that the international community faces increasing challenges in ensuring monitoring, transparency, and compliance with nuclear safeguards.
