IRAN Natanz Isfahan Fordo IRAN Natanz Isfahan Fordo President Trump has vowed to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon — and central to that pledge is the fate of its highly enriched uranium, which could be used to build at least 10 bombs.Much of the uranium is believed to be stored so far underground that even powerful U.S. bunker-buster bombs may not be able to destroy it. A raid by U.S. forces to retrieve the uranium would carry enormous risks, including from the material itself, which could become highly toxic if it were to leak and be exposed to moisture.The Trump administration is now focusing on diplomatic efforts by trying to convince Iran to turn over the material in return for incentives.“Iran is being sanctioned because they have highly enriched uranium, Iran is being sanctioned because of their nuclear activities,” said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while testifying Tuesday at a Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. “If they agree to give up those things, there will be sanctions relief associated with their commitment and compliance with those agreements.”Iran had a stockpile of about 970 pounds of uranium enriched to 60 percent as of June 2025, the International Atomic Energy Agency, or I.A.E.A., said in February. The material is often stored in canisters about the size of scuba tanks, allowing the stockpile to be split among several locations.It is impossible to know exactly where Iran’s nuclear material is stored without full I.A.E.A. inspections. Here’s a look at where experts believe it may be, and why it would be so difficult to retrieve.A deep complex at Isfahan Buried entrances Tunnel complex New roadblocks Isfahan nuclear complex Buried entrances Tunnel complex New roadblocks Isfahan nuclear complex Buried entrances Tunnel complex New roadblocks Isfahan nuclear complex Most of Iran’s enriched uranium likely remains stored underground, near the Isfahan nuclear complex, according to Rafael Grossi, who leads the I.A.E.A. The material would require only a few weeks of processing to be usable for a nuclear weapon.The complex is buried deep under a mountain, most likely beyond the reach of bunker-buster bombs, according to an analysis from the Jewish Institute for National Security of America, a Washington research organization.When the United States briefly joined Israel in the 12-day war last year, its airstrikes heavily damaged the tunnel entrances to the Isfahan site. Satellite imagery suggests that an effort was made to clear debris from some of the entrances. But Iran covered them up with soil again early this year, apparently as a protective measure, before the most recent war began in February.Images also show the addition of dirt barriers this year, which could be intended to defend against a ground operation, according to the Institute for Science and International Security, a research organization. Other new structures visible near one entrance may be shelters for defensive military equipment, said Sarah Burkhard, a senior researcher at the institute. Activity at the site April 8, 2026 New facility believed to be under this mountain. Aboveground facility mostly destroyed by airstrikes Entrances Detail Fresh roadblocks Entrance filled with dirt New structure April 8, 2026 Entrances New facility Believed to be under this mountain. Detail 2 Detail 1 Aboveground facility Mostly destroyed by airstrikes Fresh roadblocks Entrance filled with dirt Freshly excavated New structure Sources: Institute for Science and International Security; Times analysis of satellite images by Airbus. The New York Times There is also limited visual evidence that Iran may have transferred enriched uranium into Isfahan, some analysts say. Before the 12-day war last June, satellite imagery from Airbus appeared to show a cargo truck near one of the complex's entrances. Its load resembled the containers used to carry nuclear material. The image was initially reported by Le Monde. June 9, 2025 Loaded truck Tunnel entrance
Fuente: NYT — Ver nota original
