Iran rehabilitating damaged nuclear sites, satellite imagery shows - report

Iran is attempting to restore nuclear sites damaged during the US and Israel's Operation Epic Fury and Operation Roaring Lion, according to a Friday CNN report based on satellite imagery of the sites.The imagery was reportedly captured in June and July and allegedly showed nuclear sites in Iran's Parchin and Pickaxe Mountain being repaired.American and Israeli airstrikes struck and damaged the sites multiple times over the course of the operations.Analyzed by CNN in conjunction with the Institute for Science and Security, the Parchin imagery reportedly showed temporary coverings placed over impact holes from US and Israeli strikes, which were then replaced with mesh coverings a few weeks later.Concrete mixing trucks were also visible in the imagery, indicating that Iran may be preparing to seal the impact holes, experts told CNN.Additional imagery from Iran's Pickaxe Mountain facility showed construction vehicles moving in and out of the underground site, which CNN noted may amount to a violation of the recently signed US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).The MoU requires Iran to maintain the status quo at all nuclear sites, CNN noted.US President Donald Trump on Wednesday claimed that the MoU was over during a press conference at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey.No repairs seen at Isfahan, Fordow, NatanzImages of Iran's Isfahan, Fordow, and Natanz nuclear sites did not seem to indicate any restoration efforts, CNN reported.In addition to nuclear sites, CNN shared imagery of repair attempts at damaged Iranian missile bases. Repairs are also visible at Iran's Tabriz airbase, which showed what appeared to be a runway crater being filled in with concrete.According to CNN, regional satellite imagery was initially censored by the US government, but a recent loosening in restrictions allowed outlets to share such photos more easily.