Satellite images reveal Iran concealing and reinforcing military, nuclear sites

Iran fortifies sensitive military and nuclear sites

Satellite imagery suggests that Iran has been actively strengthening and concealing several sensitive military and nuclear facilities, experts say, following two separate airstrikes—one by Israel in October 2024 and a joint strike by the United States and Israel in June last year.

The developments come amid heightened tensions with Washington, which continues to pursue a nuclear deal with Tehran while warning of possible military action should negotiations fail.

Satellite images reveal how Iran is preparing for a possible collapse of negotiations with the United States.Amid reports of potential American military action, satellite imagery shows Iran restoring military and nuclear sites damaged in previous conflicts, including Parchin,… pic.twitter.com/OpwZAdnFzM

— Israel News Pulse (@israelnewspulse) February 18, 2026

According to a Reuters report, the images reveal that Iran has built a concrete shield over a new facility at a sensitive military site and covered it with soil, effectively hiding it from view. The country has also backfilled tunnel entrances at a nuclear site hit during the US-Israel strike in June 2025, reinforced tunnel entrances near Natanz, and repaired missile bases damaged in the earlier conflicts.

Located around 30 km south-east of Tehran, the Parchin complex is one of Iran’s most sensitive military sites. Israel reportedly struck it in October 2024. Satellite imagery taken since the attack shows extensive reconstruction, including a new structure now fully concealed by a concrete and soil “sarcophagus,” experts say.

David Albright, founder of the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS), noted on X that the burial of the facility provides “significant protection from aerial strikes.” Forensic imagery analyst William Goodhind added that the roof has been covered with soil to “obscure the concrete colour.”

Stalling the negotiations has its benefits: Over the last two to three weeks, Iran has been busy burying the new Taleghan 2 facility at the Parchin military complex with soil. Once the concrete sarcophagus around the facility was hardened, Iran did not hesitate to move soil over… pic.twitter.com/AowjWFFd92

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— David Albright (@DAVIDHALBRIGHT1) February 17, 2026

The Isfahan enrichment site, targeted in the June 2025 joint US-Israel strike, has seen all tunnel entrances completely backfilled with soil. ISIS said this would reduce the risk of airstrikes and complicate any ground operations to seize highly enriched uranium.

Satellite images show ongoing reinforcement of tunnel entrances under a mountain near Natanz, involving heavy machinery. ISIS said the work appears aimed at strengthening the site against possible strikes.

About 10 km south of Shiraz, this base is one of Iran’s 25 primary sites capable of launching medium-range ballistic missiles. Imagery indicates reconstruction and clearance efforts at the main logistics and likely command compound, though the site has not yet returned to full operational capacity.

“The key takeaway is that the compound has yet to return to its full operational capacity from prior to the airstrikes,” Goodhind said.

Some 40 km north of Qom, this base suffered moderate damage during the June strikes. Satellite images show a new roof installed over a damaged building, with repairs likely completed in late November 2025.

(With inputs from Reuters)