State television in Iran aired documents and images Wednesday evening that it claims are linked to Israel’s nuclear program, which has never been officially confirmed or denied by its longtime adversary.
In a documentary, the Iranian broadcaster revealed, with passport copies as evidence, the identities of individuals presented as Israeli scientists, along with information about the locations of military sites.
The footage, reportedly filmed clandestinely, is said by the channel to come from inside the Dimona nuclear facility in southern Israel. AFP was unable to independently verify these claims.
The documentary also includes photos of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief, Rafael Grossi, presented as personal. One image appears to show Grossi embracing a person dressed as Minnie Mouse, the Disney character.
Since Israel’s surprise attack on Iran in June, which sparked a 12-day conflict, Iranian officials have strongly criticized the IAEA and its director, accusing them of partial complicity. Tehran alleges that the agency failed to condemn Israeli and U.S. strikes targeting its nuclear facilities and bears some responsibility for the June attack, which followed a critical IAEA resolution on Iran’s nuclear program.
The broadcast comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and Western countries over Tehran’s nuclear activities. The West, led by the United States, and Israel accuse Iran of seeking nuclear weapons, a claim Iran vehemently denies, insisting its program is solely for civilian purposes.
Israel, viewing Iran’s program as an existential threat, maintains ambiguity over its own nuclear capabilities. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Israel possesses approximately 90 nuclear warheads.
In June, Iran claimed to have obtained “thousands” of classified documents on Israel. The two nations have been engaged for years in a shadow conflict, with Iran regularly arresting individuals it accuses of espionage and previously accusing Israel of targeted assassinations and sabotage linked to its nuclear program.
AFP
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