Iran’s nuclear program goes underground

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Iran has started to move equipment used to enrich uranium for nuclear fuel to an underground bunker which was top secret until 2009. The Fordow nuclear facility near the city of Qom is carved into a mountain to protect it from possible attack.

Iran only disclosed the facility’s existence to the IAEA nuclear watchdog in September 2009 after its existence was detected by the western intelligence. Iran's top nuclear official, Fereidoun Abbasi, says some centrifuges have already been moved, but they are taking their time to observe what he calls technical standards.Tehran states it has informed the International Atomic Agency about the move. Seyed Marandi, professor of Tehran University says the step is being taken by Iran to protect the scientists and other civilians involved in the program, and also to safeguard against any attempt by the US or Israel to attack the country.“The new facilities that are being opened were built years ago, and the reason was because the US and its ally Israel were constantly making threats against Iran, against international law, that they will bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities,” he added.