Amid growing international concerns, reports from the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) suggest that Iran is secretly forging nuclear missiles capable of striking Europe, bending North Korean technological insights to their advantage.
According to Mail Online, the alleged nuclear expansion, positioned under the guise of satellite programs, is said to primarily bolster Tehran's strategic military reach.
The story begins with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which significantly contributes to the development of nuclear warheads. According to NCRI, this development is spearheaded at two primary sites that are ostensibly satellite launch facilities but serve a more menacing purpose.
On January 24, 2025, the IRGC showcased its military might through an exercise in the Persian Gulf featuring anti-aircraft artillery, subtly reaffirming their tactical advancements.
Notably, one of these sites near Shahrud, managed by the Organisation for Advanced Defence Research (SPND), is where the IRGC Aerospace Force, along with SPND, is reportedly advancing the Ghaem-100 rocket—capable of targeting parts of Europe including Greece and Israel.
Underground Construction Aids Missile Secrecy
NCRI has raised alarms over the extensive underground construction at these sites, particularly around 43 miles southeast of Semnan. Here, the so-called Imam Khomini site is involved in producing Simorgh missiles, inspired by North Korea's UNHA-1 rocket designs. This subterranean expansion aims to hide activities from global surveillance.
According to insiders, both missile sites are cordoned off with heavy security, where staff movements are kept clandestine and the facilities themselves shielded from public scrutiny. The underground activities include controlled explosions, purportedly linked to missile production, noticed due to the seismic activities they generate.
Soona Samsami, U.S. representative of the NCRI, criticized the Iranian regime's tactic, stating, "The Iranian group are 'masters of lies, deception and evasion.'" Reflecting on two decades of negotiations, she accused Tehran of using diplomatic engagements to cloak their illicit nuclear advancements.
International Responses to Iran’s Military Activities
Samsami further criticized the Iranian regime's approach, emphasizing its vulnerability in the current geopolitical climate. "Tehran has never been as weak and vulnerable as it is today. The desperate Iranian regime is thus speeding up the development of nuclear weapons," she declared, urging global powers to hold Iran accountable not just for regional destabilization but also for internal repressions.
She elaborated on the importance of international awareness and decisive actions against Iran, "Now is the time to hold the regime accountable for internal killings, regional warmongering, and nuclear weapons development."
The NCRI's release pointed out that previously disguised missile tests were conducted under the cover of satellite launches, further showcasing Iran's disguise and deceit in pursuing its nuclear ambitions. Signs of increased underground activities linked to missile production through subterranean explosions have also been observed, adding layers of complexity to the international community's efforts to monitor Tehran's activities.
The Path Forward for Iran's Nuclear Challenges
These developments pose a severe challenge to global peace and could trigger a new arms race in the region. The revelation demands an urgent reevaluation of diplomatic strategies and possibly more stringent measures to prevent Iran from achieving a full-scale nuclear weapon capability.
International bodies, along with nuclear watchdogs, may need to employ more sophisticated surveillance techniques or increase diplomatic pressure to ensure compliance with international nuclear agreements.
The situation remains tense as the world watches how Iran navigates its nuclear ambitions against growing international scrutiny and pressure, highlighting the critical need for transparent and effective global governance in nuclear non-proliferation.
