IAEA Says Iran Conducted Nuclear Test Simulations in 2003, Then Hid the Evidence

A new analysis of the IAEA’s May 31 report reveals that Iran carried out and subsequently covered up nuclear weapons development tests more than two decades ago.

The Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) says the IAEA uncovered evidence that Iran performed multiple “implosion” experiments in 2003 — essential steps in developing a nuclear weapon. These tests were part of what’s called a “cold test,” where non-fissile uranium is used instead of weapons-grade material to simulate a bomb’s assembly.

According to the report, four large-scale tests were conducted in Marivan, using high explosives to produce a spherical shockwave intended to compress a nuclear core, though no actual nuclear fuel was involved.

The experiments reportedly included explosive-powered neutron sources, used to mimic the effects of a nuclear detonation — technology vital to creating a working nuclear bomb.

For the first time, the IAEA connected undeclared nuclear activity at four sites — Marivan, Lavisan-Shian, Varamin, and Turquz-Abad — to possible weapons-related development.

While Iran has long denied having a nuclear weapons program, it continues to enrich uranium to levels far beyond those needed for civilian purposes..