Satellite images show that four new buildings have gone up at Iran's Parchin military complex, where explosives experiments related to nuclear weapons were conducted in the early 2000s.
The structures are surrounded by steep walls made of compacted earth to deflect explosions, intelligence consultancy group The Intel Lab said.
Military grade explosives are manufactured and tested at Parchin, which is about 30 kilometres south-east of Tehran, but analysts linked the site to other activities.
“Parchin complex is involved in research and development, the production of chemical weapons, laser technology for uranium enrichment, as well as high-explosive testing for nuclear weapons,” The Intel Lab said.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) last visited Parchin in 2015 as part of its investigation into Iran's nuclear activities under the terms of a deal with world powers that was intended to curb Tehran's nuclear ambitions in exchange for sanctions relief.
Former US president Donald Trump withdrew from the deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), in 2018, but the Biden administration is seeking a return to it under new conditions.
In 2015, Iran told the inspectors that Parchin was used to store chemicals, a claim disproven by IAEA analysis of samples from the site.
The IAEA was unable to find hard evidence of nuclear activity, although two weak traces of man-made uranium were found.
It concluded that there were “no credible indications of activities in Iran relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device after 2009” and no “credible indications of the diversion of nuclear material in connection with the possible military dimensions to Iran’s nuclear programme”.
Recent satellite imagery showed major refurbishments at the complex, leading some experts to suggest that Iran has tried to cover up evidence of nuclear activity.
In June, plumes of orange smoke were seen after an explosion at Iran's Khojir missile production plant, near Parchin, caused a blackout.
Iranian officials released images of a gas tank with a hole in it as evidence that a leak caused the explosion.
But satellite imagery showed extensive damage to the site, making a gas leak an unlikely explanation, and analysts are yet to reach a consensus on the cause of the explosion.
Iran on Friday announced that it had successfully increased uranium enrichment at its Natanz site to 60 per cent, at odds with its commitments under the JCPOA - which Iran said became a void deal after the US withdrawal in 2018.
Iran's compliance with the deal is a prerequisite for the US returning to it and lifting Trump-era sanctions that damage Iran's economy, US President Joe Biden said.
Iran said it would easily reverse nuclear enrichment escalations.
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GIANT REVIEW
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Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
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The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
