Source HT
As diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran move closer to a potential agreement, new intelligence reports suggest Tehran has taken drastic steps to secure its highly enriched uranium stockpiles, complicating the path toward a final deal.
According to multiple reports citing U.S. intelligence sources, Iran has deliberately sealed access to key nuclear sites by collapsing underground tunnels and installing explosive booby traps and mines at entry points. These measures are believed to have been implemented in recent weeks, significantly increasing the difficulty of accessing the uranium reserves.
The stockpile in question is estimated to be roughly half a tonne of highly enriched uranium, material that experts say is close to weapons-grade. Much of it is believed to be stored deep underground, particularly near the Isfahan nuclear complex, with smaller quantities potentially distributed across other locations.
The developments come at a critical moment, as Washington and Tehran reportedly edge closer to a framework agreement aimed at ending months of heightened tensions. A central component of the proposed deal involves Iran handing over its enriched uranium for destruction or removal under international supervision.
However, Iran’s latest actions could pose a serious obstacle to implementing such an agreement. By fortifying the sites and making physical access more dangerous and time-consuming, Tehran may be attempting to strengthen its bargaining position or deter any potential military operation to seize the material.
U.S. officials had previously explored the possibility of deploying military forces to secure the uranium, but such plans were considered highly risky. Experts warn that any attempt to retrieve the material now would be even more complex due to the presence of mines and collapsed infrastructure.
Analysts also suggest that public statements by U.S. leadership about targeting Iran’s uranium stockpile may have prompted Tehran to further conceal and protect the material. This adds another layer of uncertainty to ongoing negotiations.
While political leaders have indicated that a deal could be finalized soon, questions remain over how the uranium will be located, verified, and safely removed. Experts caution that even if an agreement is reached on paper, the practical challenges of accessing the stockpile could delay or complicate its implementation.
The situation underscores the fragile nature of the negotiations, where progress toward peace is intertwined with escalating security measures on the ground.
