Iran continues its pursuit of nuclear weapons, not only accumulating near-weapons-grade enriched uranium but also expanding its covert weaponization efforts.
Information from sources within the Iranian regime, provided to the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), suggests renewed efforts to develop nuclear detonation capabilities.
The NCRI identifies METFAZ (Center for Research and Expansion of Technologies on Explosions and Impact) as leading this program. Recent activity at the previously inactive Sanjarian site has fueled speculation.
“Our information reveals expanded and intensified METFAZ activities, primarily focused on nuclear detonation,” Alireza Jafarzadeh, NCRI’s U.S. deputy director, stated. “Detonation is a complex process crucial to weaponizing fissile material.”
“METFAZ’s activities serve as an indicator of the overall nuclear weapons program’s progress,” he added.
Iran has numerous nuclear development sites, but increased covert activity is reported at least two, including Sanjarian, a former key weaponization facility.
Sanjarian, located east of Tehran and part of the Amad Plan, was largely inactive from 2009 to late 2020 following international pressure.
However, activity resumed in October 2020, initially disguised as a film crew, as evidenced by satellite imagery showing vehicles parked at the site.
In 2022, trees were planted to obscure satellite views, followed by a security gate installation in May 2023.
Recent NCRI reports indicate regular visits by top nuclear experts since April 2024, operating under the cover of Arvin Kimia Abzaar, an oil and gas company.
Jafarzadeh identified Saeed Borji, a long-time member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and head of METFAZ, as an Arvin Kimia Abzaar executive.
METFAZ falls under Iran’s Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research, a known leader in Iran’s nuclear development, suspected of using Sanjarian for exploding bridgewire (EBW) detonator research.
Iran previously concealed its EBW detonator program, crucial for deploying atomic warheads, under the guise of oil industry activities.
A 2015 IAEA report identified EBW detonators as “an integral part of a program to develop an implosion-type nuclear explosive device.”
Iran falsely linked the program to its aerospace industry and later the oil and gas sector, claims deemed inconsistent by the IAEA.
“The Iranian regime has employed deceptive tactics—lies, stalling, and delaying tactics,” Jafarzadeh explained. “Their goal is to advance their nuclear weapons program without accountability.”
The IAEA hasn’t responded to the NCRI’s latest findings, shared this week, leaving Iran’s detonator advancements unclear.
“While the international community focuses on uranium enrichment, the weaponization aspect has received less scrutiny,” Jafarzadeh noted.
The NCRI also discovered that METFAZ’s Plan 6 complex at the Parchin military site has expanded its explosive testing and production.
Parchin, comprising several military industrial complexes, was previously targeted by an airstrike. The Institute for Science and International Security reported that the strikes destroyed multiple buildings, including a high explosive test chamber.
Iran’s layered approach, using private companies and obfuscation, hinders tracking its nuclear program, even for agencies like the IAEA, according to Jafarzadeh.
“The regime’s deceptive tactics prevent verification, hindering the IAEA’s inquiries,” he said. “Our findings reveal a lack of transparency and rapid progress towards building a bomb.”
The NCRI confirms that neither Sanjarian nor Parchin’s Plan 6 has been inspected by the IAEA.