Reactors, enrichment plants, research centers and the Middle East's first civilian nuclear power plant are among the sites located across Iran. Tehran says its atomic energy programme is for peaceful purposes.
0: Arak Heavy Water Reactor Ver detalle |
1: Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant Ver detalle |
2: Bonab Research Centre Ver detalle |
3: Esfahan Nuclear Technology Centre Ver detalle |
4: Fordow Plant Ver detalle |
5: Natanz Enrichment Plant Ver detalle |
6: Parchin Military Complex Ver detalle |
7: Tehran Nuclear Research Centre Ver detalle |
8: Ardakan Yellowcake Production Plant Ver detalle |
9: Gachin Uranium Mines Ver detalle |
10: Saghand Uranium Mines Ver detalle |
11: Yazd Radiation Processing Centre Ver detalle |
Located on the Gulf coast, construction began by German companies in 1975. Russian co-operation helped the plant begin delivering electricity to the national grid by September 12, 2011, making it the first civilian nuclear power plant in the Middle East. It remains a joint venture between Tehran and Moscow.
The Atomic Energy Research Centre at Bonab is focused on applying nuclear technology to agriculture and is run by the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI). IAEA Director-General Hans Blix visited in 1997 and did not detect suspicious activity. [Approximate location]
Suspected to be the primary location of Iran's nuclear weapons programme, the Nuclear Technology Centre employs thousands of scientists. The facility operates four small reactors, all supplied by China. In addition to the uranium conversion plant, the city is also reportedly the site of Iran's largest missile assembly and production plant, built with North Korean assistance. [Approximate location]
One of two possible locations identified by the Institute for Science and International Security as the site of the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant at a former Revolutionary Guards base. Iran says it is moving production of uranium enriched to nearly 20 per cent to the site, just north of the Shia holy city of Qom.
While not confirmed to be a nuclear site, the facility is believed to be a testing ground for the kind of powerful conventional explosives that could be used for nuclear weapons. IAEA tests did not reveal the presence of nuclear material.
Managed by the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, the center was established in 1967. Under the US Atoms for Peace programme, it was equipped with the 5-megawatt nuclear Tehran Research Reactor and fueled by highly enriched uranium (HEU). Argentina and Iran signed a conversion agreement in 1987 and uranium delivery began in 1993.
While probably not yet operational, the facility is designed to process more than 50 tonnes of uranium per year into yellowcake. The original pilot plant was built with Chinese assistance. [Approximate location]
Becoming operational in 2005, Saghand is the location of Iran's first uranium ore mines. The site contains around 4,000 tons of uranium oxide on more than 100 sq kilometres.
This facility at Yazd University's Nuclear Research Department is equipped with a Rhodotron TT200 accelerator made by a Belgian firm. Geophysical research aims to analyse abundant uranium deposits around the city. [Approximate location]