Iranian Nuclear Construction Hits Headlines
News surrounding the Iran Nuclear deal ignited again this morning as new satellite images of the Natanz nuclear facility were released and show construction activity. Analysts from the James Matin Center for Nonproliferation believe that the construction is excavation work building tunnels for an underground advances centrifuge assembly plant.
Last year another plant on the site exploded due to suspected sabotage. These actions come amidst international tension over US-Iranian sanctions which many claim are illegal due to their effect on humanitarian aid. Every source on this issue published this morning, however, was headlined in an inflammatory way. The construction is not unplanned. The partners in the Iranian nuclear deal were informed. Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have been aware of the planned construction. The IAEA still has access to Iranian nuclear facilities. Unfortunately, the impact of the US election is clear in the reporting on this issue as it suggests that the construction is illegal (a message that President Trump has encouraged).
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