Iran builds concrete shield at military site amid acute US tensions

Satellite images reveal Iran fortifying its Parchin military complex against aerial strikes as US military build-up in region gathers pace.Published On 19 Feb 2026Newly released satellite images show that Iran has recently built a concrete ‌shield over a new facility at a sensitive military site and covered it in soil, advancing work at a location reportedly bombed by Israel in 2024 amid soaring tensions with ⁠the United States and the threat of regional war.The images also show that Iran has ⁠buried tunnel entrances at a nuclear site bombed by Washington during Israel’s 12-day war with Iran last year – which the US joined on Israel’s behalf – fortified tunnel entrances near another, and has repaired missile bases struck in the conflict.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Iranian families mark protest killings as schools observe strikeslist 2 of 4US renews threat of military action as Iran, Russia announce naval drillslist 3 of 4Iran says ‘good progress’ made in nuclear talks with US in Genevalist 4 of 4Dozens of film workers slam Berlin festival’s silence on Israel’s Gaza warend of listThis comes as countries in the region and across the world closely monitor the prospect of a major escalation. On Thursday, Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk urged Polish citizens to leave Iran “immediately … and ⁠do not go to this country ‌under any circumstances”.The satellite images offer a rare glimpse of Iranian activities at some of the sites at the centre of tensions with Israel and the US.Some 30km (20 miles) southeast of Tehran, the Parchin complex is one of Iran’s most sensitive military sites. Western intelligence has suggested Tehran carried out tests relevant to nuclear bomb detonations there more than 20 years ago. Iran has always denied seeking ⁠atomic weapons and says its nuclear programme is purely for civilian purposes.Neither US intelligence nor the UN nuclear watchdog found any evidence last year that Iran was pursuing nuclear weapons.Israel reportedly struck Parchin in October 2024. Satellite imagery taken before and after that attack shows extensive damage to a rectangular building at Parchin, and apparent reconstruction in images from November 6, 2024. Imagery from October 12, 2025, shows development at the site, with the skeleton of a new structure visible and two smaller structures adjacent to it.