Axios: Israel destroyed a secret Iranian nuclear facility
A photo published by Axios from the Maxar satellite of the Parchin military complex in Iran (Axios)
Axios quoted American and Israeli officials as saying that Israel destroyed, in its recent attack on Iran, a secret facility in the Parchin area.
The officials explained that one of the targets of Israel's strike on Iran last October was the "Talegan 2" facility in the Parchin complex, indicating that it was part of an Iranian nuclear weapons program.
The officials confirmed that the Israeli strike "inflicted significant damage on Iran's efforts to resume nuclear weapons research."
While the website indicated that Iran halted its military nuclear program in 2003, it confirmed that Tehran used the "Talegan 2" facility for nuclear weapons research and explosives testing.
The website reported - quoting officials - that Israeli and American intelligence had detected new research activity in Parchin during this year. Before the Israeli strike on Iran on October 26, the Iranian Atomic Energy Agency ruled out that Israel would launch an attack on major nuclear facilities.
Agency spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said that Iran always takes these threats seriously, stressing that his country is capable of repairing any potential damage quickly. He said, "We have planned in a way that makes the damage minimal if they commit any stupidity."
The Iranian spokesman called on the International Atomic Energy Agency - affiliated with the United Nations - and the international community to condemn any threat or attack on nuclear sites.
A few days ago, an article in the British magazine The Economist stated that there are signs that targeting Iranian nuclear facilities is still among Israel's goals, in light of available data indicating that Tel Aviv "focused in its recent attack on destroying Iran's defense systems."
The article concluded that the victory of US President-elect Donald Trump in the elections "may be a favorable opportunity for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to realize his dream."