Khaberni - Amid tensions between Washington and Tehran, recent satellite images taken by Planet Labs show activities at two Iranian nuclear sites previously bombed by Israel and the United States last year, which could indicate Tehran's efforts to conceal its attempts to salvage any remaining materials there.
The images show roofs being built over two damaged buildings in the Isfahan and Natanz facilities, marking the first significant activity detected by satellites at any of the damaged Iranian nuclear sites since the 12-day war between Israel and Iran in June, according to the Associated Press reported Saturday.
While these covers prevent satellites from seeing what is happening on the ground, they are currently the only way for inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency to monitor the sites after Iran has prevented their access, according to the Associated Press.
Experts have said that the new roofs do not appear to be an indication of the beginning of reconstruction at the severely damaged facilities.
But these are likely part of the Iranian authorities' efforts "to assess whether key assets - such as limited stockpiles of highly enriched uranium - have survived the strikes," according to Andrea Stricker, a researcher at the Washington-based "Foundation for Defense of Democracies."
"She wants to strike a deal"
As this comes while President Donald Trump expressed on Friday his belief that Iran wants to negotiate a deal that would allow it to avoid a military strike he has threatened to carry out.
He hinted that he had given Tehran a certain deadline, but said it was "the only one he knows," abstaining from providing further details.
Moreover, he expressed hope in reaching an agreement. Should an agreement not be reached between the two sides, Trump stated: "If that doesn't happen, we will see what will happen."
"If it's fair and equitable"
Meanwhile, the Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared yesterday his country's readiness to resume nuclear negotiations with Washington "if they are fair and equitable" and on "an equal footing."
However, he emphasized that "Iran's missile and defense capabilities will not be subject to negotiation."
It should be noted that in recent weeks, the American president escalated his threats of an attack on Iran, with Washington bolstering its military presence in the Middle East and sending the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln to the region.
Meanwhile, Tehran has also raised its level of warnings, promising an immediate and strong response to any American strike against it.
