The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) recently disclosed unsettling advancements in Iran’s secretive nuclear program, indicating a significant escalation in the regime’s pursuit of nuclear weapons capability. During a press conference, the NCRI outlined its findings about enhanced developments at the METFAZ facility, recognized as a critical division in Iran’s Organization for Advanced Defense Research (SPND). This increase in activity primarily involves the production of nuclear detonators, specifically Exploding Bridgewire (EBW) devices, which play an essential role in triggering nuclear explosions. This information raises concerns regarding Iran’s commitment to advancing its nuclear weaponization efforts despite existing global sanctions and diplomatic interventions.
Central to these recent developments is the Meshkat Complex, located roughly 25 miles east of Tehran and closely monitored for security purposes. The NCRI contends that the facility, freshly rebranded from METFAZ, is engaged in producing high-explosive materials under the facade of oil industry research carried out by Arvin Kimia Abzar, a company suggested to be functioning as a front for military projects. NCRI officials have identified prominent figures in this clandestine operation, including Saeed Borji and Akbar Motallebizadeh, who possess extensive backgrounds in nuclear technology. Borji’s involvement with explosive technologies, traced back to his training with a former Ukrainian scientist, underscores the international dimension of Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Alireza Jafarzadeh, Deputy Director of NCRI’s Washington office, emphasized the urgent need for immediate inspections from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to evaluate the Meshkat Complex and other pivotal sites. He expressed concern that the Iranian regime is currently underestimating the risks associated with their nuclear programs, which he believes represent the most pressing threat posed by the regime. Jafarzadeh noted that given various setbacks faced by the Iranian government in other areas, it is increasingly reliant on its nuclear capabilities for its survival. The myriad unknown sites complicate oversight by the international community, further highlighting the regime’s determination to advance its nuclear weapons endeavors while avoiding scrutiny.
For over two decades, the NCRI has played a crucial role in unveiling Iran’s covert nuclear activities, including the discovery of the Natanz uranium enrichment site in 2002. The alarming developments reported by the NCRI illustrate that Iran continues to prioritize the enhancement of its nuclear capabilities despite prevailing international pressure. Established under the late General Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, SPND and its subdivisions are implicated in the systematic advancement of weaponization components without adhering to IAEA regulations.
In light of the urgency of the situation, the NCRI is actively calling for comprehensive actions, including granting the IAEA unrestricted access to the Meshkat Complex, reinstating holistic sanctions through the UN Security Council’s snapback mechanism, and prioritizing the weaponization aspect within international negotiations. Jafarzadeh criticized the Iranian regime for its opacity regarding its nuclear ambitions and reiterated the aggressive nature of its clandestine operations. The emphasis on weaponization over uranium enrichment levels highlights a critical focus that is often overlooked in global discussions surrounding Iran’s nuclear developments.
As the global community grapples with these revelations, Maryam Rajavi, NCRI’s President-elect, asserted that achieving a non-nuclear Iran is paramount, with regime change through internal resistance being the only sustainable solution. She indicated that the urgency for the international community to unite against Iran’s nuclear aspirations cannot be overstated. Recent mass protests within Iran indicate escalating public dissent against the regime, which is further intensifying calls for a democratic and secular republic in the country. Amid this backdrop, international leaders and legislators are increasingly rallying behind the NCRI’s call for a liberated Iran, creating a hopeful narrative amid a concerning geopolitical landscape.