The recent report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has lifted the lid on the secretive implosion tests carried out by Iran two decades ago in its four nuclear sites. The tests were carried out at the four nuclear sites — Marivan, Lavisan-Shian, Varamin, and Turquz-Abad.
US-based think tank Institute For Science And International Security (ISIS) analysed the IAEA report, after which it published a detailed report which said Iran conducted these tests as a preparation for a "cold test" in the development of a nuclear bomb.
On Marivan, Iran conducted explosive tests and four of those utilised "full-scale hemispherical implosion systems" which involve high explosives. This generates a "spherically inward shock wave, and a resulting compression of a nuclear explosive core, minus the weapons-grade uranium and EDNS," the report quotes IAEA.
The IAEA also found that Iran had planned to hold a cold test that would have nuclear material, evidently natural or depleted uranium in the core. The report added that Iran planned to make Explosively Driven Neutron Sources (EDNS), used in the centre of the core of the Iranian implosion-type nuclear weapon, in Marivan. "This would explain Iran’s hasty razing of the Marivan support area following the IAEA’s initial request to access the site in 2019," the report added.
The IAEA team visited the area and test sites in August 2020 but it was not able to access the control bunker during the visit to the explosive site. Iran soon demolished the bunker.
The IAEA mentioned the use of explosive chambers at the Marivan site and equipment contaminated with uranium gas at the Varamin site. These sites were part of an organised and undeclared nuclear programme and Iran attempted to cover up the activities and provide false information.
The IAEA report added that Tehran has been producing enough 60 per cent enriched uranium to make one nuclear weapon every month and now has enough material to build 10 bombs. It would take no more than two weeks to further enrich this to the 90 per cent required to achieve weapons-grade.