Latest news with #InstituteforScienceandInternationalSecurity
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Yahoo
Interpol investigates Russian company for human trafficking over African workers in Tatarstan drone factory
Interpol in Botswana began investigating Alabuga Start, billed in Africa as a work-study program in Russia for "ambitious young women" but linked to the production of military drones, for possible involvement with human trafficking, Bloomberg reported on April 25. Since launching in 2022, Alabuga Start has recruited around 350 women from over 40 countries to work in Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Russia's Republic of Tatarstan and aims to bring 8,500 more this year, according to the article. The head of Interpol's bureau in Gaborone, Detective Senior Superintendent Selebatso Mokgosi, said the investigation began after the company's social media posts were brought to the organization's attention. Alabuga Special Economic Zone is an industrial complex dedicated to mechanical engineering and the production of Shahed kamikaze drones, as well as their Russian Geran copies, which Russia routinely uses in its attacks on Ukraine's civilian infrastructure. Facing a labor shortage, Russia is trying to stuff its factories with outreach efforts in some of Africa's poorest nations, denying that the workers are going to work in military production. Alabuga Start is looking for women between the ages of 18 and 22 in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Lesotho, but also in Botswana, one of Africa's richest countries per capita that struggles with unemployment, Bloomberg writes. The 2024 report by the non-profit Institute for Science and International Security estimated that "more than 90% of the Start program personnel" were assigned to drone assembly, aiming to produce 6,000 drones every year. Last October, the Associated Press reported that African women were being forced to build drones in Alabuga under gruelling and hazardous conditions, and were paid much less than promised. The in-depth investigations into Alabuga by Protokol, a Russian independent media outlet, showed that it has a track record of surveiling workers involved in drone manufacturing and keeping details about production in secret. Last year, Ukraine confirmed attacking military facilities in Tatarstan at least twice with long-distance drone strikes. Most recently, Ukrainian drones reportedly struck the plant on April 23. Before Alabuga Start ramped up recruitment abroad, the drones were assembled by students at the nearby vocational school, Alabuga Polytechnic. The students faced expulsion and the threat of fines ranging from 1.5 million to 2 million rubles ($18,000-$24,000) if they were found to have shared any information about their work, according to Bloomberg. Read also: Investigation: Who helped Russians increase production of domestic attack drones despite sanctions We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The Sun
26-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Horror moment huge explosion rips through port in Iran leaving at least 281 injured as black billowing smoke fills sky
THIS is the horrifying moment a huge explosion rips through a port in Iran, leaving at least 281 injured. Unbelievable videos shared on social media show black billowing smoke after the gargantuan blast as onlookers watch on in horror. 5 5 5 The blast happened at the Rajaei port just outside of Bandar Abbas - a major facility for container shipments for the Islamic Republic that handles roughly 80 million tons of goods a year. More footage showed glass blown out of buildings sitting miles away from the epicenter of the explosion. Authorities have give no cause for the unbelievable explosion yet. Iranian state TV however has specifically ruled out any energy infrastructure as causing - or being damaged - in the explosion. Disaster management official Mehrdad Hasanzadeh told Iranian state TV that first responders were attempting to reach the site while others were desperately trying to evacuate. He added that the blast came from containers at Rajaei port in the city - without explaining further. State TV also reported there had been a building collapse caused by the explosion, but no immediate other details offered. Rajaei port is around 652 miles southeast of the Iranian capital of Iran, on the Strait of Hormuz - the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which 20per cent of all oil traded passes. War between US and Iran has never been closer - and Tehran won't back down to Trump, warns ex-UK ambassador Industrial accidents happen in Iran, especially because its ageing oil facilities have little access to machinery parts due to strict international sanctions. The blast happened as Iran and the United States met Saturday in Oman for the third round of negotiations over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program. US President Donald Trump said on Thursday an agreement is "well on its way," while Iran scrambled to protect its most important nuclear fortresses. The president said: "I think we're doing very well on an agreement with Iran. "That one is well on its way - we could have a very, very good decision. And a lot of lives will be saved." But Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei doesn't appear to be taking any chances, as Iran has been found building a ring of steel protection around its nuclear facilities. Iran is beefing up two deeply buried tunnel complexes - linked to its main nuclear complex - with a massive security perimeter. Commercial satellite imagery shows defence construction around the base of Mt Kolang Gaz La, located south of the Natanz enrichment complex. The satellite images, taken on March 29, showed hardened entrances to the complexes, high wall panels erected along the verges of a graded road encircling the mountain peak, and excavations for the installation of more panels. And the north side of the perimeter joins the Natanz plant security ring, according to a report published by the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS). The multi-peaked mountain contains a new, large, deeply buried tunnel complex and a separate, smaller one dating back to 2007, which was previously partly destroyed. Tehran has barred access to the tunnels to inspectors of the UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) who are monitoring its nuclear program. And that suggests that Iran is increasingly worried about foreign surveillance of its nuclear production sites, which the regime claims are just for civilian use. David Albright, the institute president, said the new perimeter suggested that the tunnel complexes - under construction beneath Mount Kolang Gaz La for several years, could become operational relatively soon. This has raised concerns that they could be used to store Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium or undeclared nuclear materials, and advanced centrifuges that could quickly purify enough uranium for a bomb, Albright added. IAEA Director General Raphael Grossi said yesterday: "It is obvious that this is a place with numerous and important activities [on Iran's nuclear program]. "It's a bit of a ping pong, but the digging continues, the building continues." 5 5
Newsweek
24-04-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Satellite Image Shows Iran Reinforcing Nuclear Complex
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. New satellite imagery shows Iran reinforcing a vast underground complex near the country's main uranium enrichment site, according to an analysis by the Institute for Science and International Security. Newsweek has reached out to the International Atomic Energy Agency watchdog for comment. Why It Matters The fortification efforts come at a time of U.S. and Israeli threats of military strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. The United States and Iran are currently in negotiations over the Iranian nuclear program, but President Donald Trump has threatened an attack if talks fail. Israel has said it would attack alone if need be to stop Iran obtaining nuclear weapons. A security perimeter is being constructed around multiple peaks of Mount Kolang Gaz La, which holds two underground tunnel complexes. A security perimeter is being constructed around multiple peaks of Mount Kolang Gaz La, which holds two underground tunnel complexes. Institute for Science and International Security What To Know Commercial satellite imagery analyzed by the Institute for Science and International Security identified ongoing construction of a fortified security perimeter around Mount Kolang Gaz La—an area south of Iran's Natanz nuclear complex. Recent changes at the 2007 Natanz Tunnel facility show efforts to create a highly secure site. Recent changes at the 2007 Natanz Tunnel facility show efforts to create a highly secure site. Institute for Science and International Security The site includes two tunnel facilities: a new, deeply buried tunnel which could be operational as soon as this year, and an older 2007 site which has undergone major upgrades since late 2023, according to the independent nonprofit. A close up of wall paneling underway. A close up of wall paneling underway. Institute for Science and International Security It concluded that Iran appears to be preparing both sites for sensitive nuclear operations. IAEA Director Rafael Grossi told reporters Wednesday that Iran has agreed to allow in a technical team of the U.N. watchdog to discuss restoring camera surveillance at nuclear sites, The Associated Press reported. This comes as Iran warned that a potential deal could be derailed amid Israeli pressure on Washington and threats of military action. Tehran has long said it does not seek nuclear weapons but only wants research for civilian uses. Israel is widely believed to have nuclear weapons already. U.S. President Trump has said he prefers diplomacy but hasn't ruled out force, with his administration hardening their stance on Iran's civilian enrichment capabilities, despite the U.S. National Intelligence assessing that Iran is not currently building a nuclear weapon. What People Are Saying Institute for Science and International Security: "If Iran is building an enrichment plant and did not declare it to the IAEA when it authorized construction, this would be a serious safeguards violation. In its negotiations with Iran, the United States should make clear that if Iran were to move, or has already moved enriched uranium stocks, centrifuges, or key centrifuge-related equipment to these underground facilities, this would be detrimental to negotiations." Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on X: "Reality check: Every single milligram of enriched uranium in Iran is under full and constant IAEA supervision and monitoring." IAEA Director General Raphael Grossi as quoted by The Associated Press: "You know, I'm quoting from their public statements, they are adding a significant number of new (collision) cascades. And if you add to that the fact that we have lost since they reduced our cameras at Karaj (Nuclear Center) and other places, we have lost so much visibility as to certain activities that they are having." What Happens Next Iran may continue ramping up its enrichment program even as talks go on. If the negotiations fail to reach agreement that could make an attack more likely, but still extremely difficult to carry out succesfully given the distribution and heavy fortification of Iran's nuclear sites.
The Sun
24-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Iran building ring of steel around deeply buried nuclear fortresses after Trump vowed ‘bombing like you've never seen'
IRAN has been found building a ring of steel protection around its most important nuclear facility amid threats of blitzing airstrikes by the US and Israel. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is scrambling to brace for impact after President Donald Trump threatened to bomb the regime"like never before". 11 11 Iran is beefing up two deeply buried tunnel complexes - linked to its main nuclear complex - with a massive security perimeter. Commercial satellite imagery shows defence construction around the base of Mt Kolang Gaz La, located south of the Natanz enrichment complex. The satellite images, taken on March 29, showed hardened entrances to the complexes, high wall panels erected along the verges of a graded road encircling the mountain peak, and excavations for the installation of more panels. And the north side of the perimeter joins the Natanz plant security ring, according to a report published by the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS). The multi-peaked mountain contains a new, large, deeply buried tunnel complex and a separate, smaller one dating back to 2007, which was previously partly destroyed. Tehran has barred access to the tunnels to inspectors of the UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) who are monitoring its nuclear program. And that suggests that Iran is increasingly worried about foreign surveillance of its nuclear production sites, which the regime claims are just for civilian use. David Albright, the institute president, said the new perimeter suggested that the tunnel complexes - under construction beneath Mount Kolang Gaz La for several years, could become operational relatively soon. This has raised concerns that they could be used to store Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium or undeclared nuclear materials, and advanced centrifuges that could quickly purify enough uranium for a bomb, Albright added. IAEA Director General Raphael Grossi said yesterday: "It is obvious that this is a place with numerous and important activities [on Iran's nuclear program]. "It's a bit of a ping pong, but the digging continues, the building continues." Iran's nuclear deal explained By Sayan Bose, Foreign News Reporter FOR years, the Iranian regime has allegedly been trying to process military-grade Uranium and develop nuclear weapons. The West accused Iran of trying to produce weapons of mass destruction, in a great threat to international peace. However, Iran insisted that its nuclear programme was entirely peaceful and was aimed at the country's growth. In 2015, Iran agreed to sign the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a comprehensive nuclear agreement with the US, UK, France, China, Russia and Germany. However, in May 2018, the then-president Donald Trump pulled out of the agreement after calling it "defective at its core". He slapped Tehran with criplling sanctions as part of a "maximum pressure" policy and forced the regime to negotiate a fresh deal. Now that Trump has returned to the office for a second term, he is trying to compel Iran to sign a deal that would also curb its ballistic missile programme and its involvement in regional conflicts. Iran's move to secure its nuclear site comes after the Israeli and American military reportedly planned to strike the Iranian regime and wipe out its nuclear sites in just weeks. Benjamin Netanyahu is said to have held high-profile talks with President Donald Trump to launch a commando raid and drop 30,000lb bombs on Iran with the help of US fighter jets. Sources in Tel Aviv told The Sun Israel was planning to blitz Iran within weeks in a coordinated effort with the US if Tehran fails to thrash out a nuke deal. The coordinated strike, which included both ground offensive as well as aerial attacks, was planned for as early as May, it was revealed. Plans were to launch a campaign of Israeli commando raids on underground nuclear sites, along with bombing using US fighter jets. A report published by The New York Times outlines how the US was preparing to assist Israel in its military offensive against Iran. The US began moving loads of military equipment in the Middle East, along with a second aircraft carrier Carl Vinson to join the already-stationed Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea. Two Patriot missile batteries and a Terminal High Altitude Area Defence system (THAAD) were also shipped to the Middle East. Around a half-dozen B-2 bombers capable of carrying 30,000-pound bombs essential to destroying Iran's underground nuclear program were dispatched to Diego Garcia, an island base in the Indian Ocean. Moving additional fighter aircraft to the region, potentially to a base in Israel, was also considered, according to the report. 11 11 11 It came at a time when Trump began his relentless campaign of bombing to obliterate the Houthis in Yemen. Most of these US military equipment in the Middle East could well be used to cripple the Iranian-proxy terrior group in the region, who have been attacking US vessels in the Red Sea. But US officials revealed that the weaponry was also part of the planning for potentially supporting Israel in a conflict with Iran. Israel had reasons to believe that the US would help it out to attack Iran after Trump threatened to hold Iran accountable for "every shot" the Houthis fire. The president blasted: "Any further attack or retaliation by the Houthis will be met with great force, and there is no guarantee that that force will stop there. "Iran has played 'the innocent victim' of rogue terrorists from which they've lost control, but they haven't lost control." Trump also vowed to bomb Iran "like never before" if the regime does not fall in line and strike up a new nuclear deal with the US within months. However, Trump chose to explore the path of diplomacy before giving a green light to the potential Iran blitz amid the rising threat. He told Netanyahu that he would not support an Israeli attack in May while the US was still at the negotiating table with Iran. Although senior US officials have suggested that the US could support an Israeli plan to attack Iran if the talks fail. Just days ago, the US and Iran finished their first round of indirect talks in Oman to discuss a new nuclear agreement for the Iranian regime. Iran's accelerates nuclear development Exclusive by Katie Davis, Chief Foreign Reporter (Digital) IRAN is believed to have accelerated its nuclear weapons development and is building terrifying nuclear warheads for solid-fuel missiles with a range exceeding 1,800 miles (3,000km). A powerful blast from Iran could impact on several continents due to the chilling capability of the warheads. Italy, Ukraine, Sudan, India and even large swaths of Russia would all potentially be in the firing line. They are being developed at two sites in Shahrud and Semnan, which were previously pinned as rocket or space satellite launch sites. A third site, Sorkheh Hesar, is also said to be carrying out projects, including research on nuclear power and underground explosions. Nukes are being quickly created under the watchful eye of the regime's nuclear weaponisation entity, the Organisation for Advanced Defence Research (SPND). Bosses are developing nuclear warheads for the solid-fuel Ghaem-100 missiles, which are equipped with mobile launch platforms at the Shahrud site. Iran's rocket designers have used North Korea's missiles as a guide to develop the Ghaem-100 missile. When the missile was in a very early testing stage in 2011, dozens of missile experts were killed at the Modarres site in Tehran. Personnel vehicles are banned from entering the Shahrud site and are forced to park at a checkpoint before people are transported in. Meanwhile, they are using the liquid fuel missile Simorgh to develop nuclear warheads in Semnan. Iran has staged three successful Ghaem-100 missile launches over the past two years, enhancing the regime's capability to deploy nuclear weapons. 11 11 Defying expectations of a fiery confrontation, their meeting in Oman was instead held "in a constructive atmosphere", according to Iran's Foreign Ministry. The Middle Eastern country also said that after two-and-a-half hours of indirect talks, Iranian diplomat Abbas Aragchi and Trump envoy Steve Witkoff actually spoke directly. They added that discussions would continue in coming weeks. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in an interview released Wednesday that Iran must give up all nuclear enrichment if it wants to make a deal during talks with the Trump administration and head off the threat of armed conflict. Iran insists its nuclear program is for civilian energy use and says it does not seek to make weapons-grade uranium to build atomic bombs. Rubio said: "If Iran wants a civil nuclear program, they can have one just like many other countries can have one, and that is they import enriched material, Rubio said in a podcast interview with journalist Bari Weiss. "But Iran has long refused to give up its ability to enrich uranium. President Donald Trump in his first term pulled the U.S. out of a Obama-era nuclear deal focused on monitoring to ensure Iran did not move toward weapons-grade enrichment." War footing Meanwhile, reports also emerged revealing Tehran's preparation for a potential US strike. Iran is said to be readying itself by setting up missiles with the capability to strike US positions, The Tehran Times revealed. A significant number of these weapons are located in underground facilities scattered across the country, designed to withstand airstrikes. Khamenei is also reportedly amassing troops to brace for potential US airstrikes after Trump threatened to bomb the regime"like never before". One senior Iranian military official said that the regime's decision to ditch its support for the Houthis was made to prepare for a direct conflict with the US, according to The Telegraph. The source said that Tehran wants to focus more on the threat from Donald Trump rather than spending its resources on its proxy network in the Middle East. They said: 'The view here is that the Houthis will not be able to survive and are living their final months or even days, so there is no point in keeping them on our list. 'They were part of a chain that relied on Nasrallah [the former secretary-general of Hezbollah] and Assad, and keeping only one part of that chain for the future makes no sense. "Tehran's primary concern is Trump and how to deal with him." 'Every meeting is dominated by discussions about him, and none of the regional groups we previously supported are being discussed." 11 11 11
Ya Libnan
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Ya Libnan
Iran can't enrich uranium, could only import it for civilian use, Rubio says
File photo : A report in late November 2020 by the International Atomic Energy Agency concluded that Iran now has more than 12 times the amount of enriched uranium permitted under a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. It now has over 5,385 pounds, of enriched uranium , enough to produce about 3 nuclear weapons after further purification , according to an analysis of the report by the Institute for Science and International Security. Iran is the only country in the whole world that has enough 60% enriched uranium to produce at least 3 atomic bombs and yet it keeps claiming that its nuclear program is for civilian use . Most nuclear reactors do not even require 3.75% purity in their fuel. 3.5 % purity is what reactors require. Iran deceived former president Carter in 1978 and former president Obama in 2015 over its intentions. There's a lot of concern in Washington that president Trump may fall in the same Iranian trap if he doesn't insist that Iran should sell its 60% enriched uranium and import up to the 3.75% purity Washington- Iran will have to stop enriching uranium under any deal with the United States and could only import what is needed for a civilian nuclear program, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said ahead of talks between Tehran and Washington on Saturday. However, Iran has already made clear that its right to enrich uranium is not negotiable. When asked about Rubio's comments, a senior Iranian official, close to Iran's negotiating team, again said on Wednesday 'zero enrichment is unacceptable.' The U.S. is seeking to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear bomb and President Donald Trump has imposed a 'maximum pressure' campaign of sanctions and threatened to use military force if Iran does not end its nuclear program. As in the past Iran has denied wanting to develop a nuclear weapon and says its nuclear program is peaceful. U.S. and Iranian officials will meet in Oman on Saturday for a third round of talks on Tehran's disputed nuclear program. 'There's a pathway to a civil, peaceful nuclear program if they want one,' Rubio told the 'Honestly with Bari Weiss' podcast on Tuesday. 'But if they insist on enriching, then they will be the only country in the world that doesn't have a 'weapons program,' … but is enriching. And so I think that's problematic,' he said. U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff last week said Iran does not need to enrich past 3.67% – a remark that raised questions as to whether Washington still wanted Tehran to dismantle its enrichment program. Witkoff then said a day later that Iran must 'stop and eliminate its nuclear enrichment.' Rubio said on Tuesday that Witkoff was initially talking about 'the level of enriched material that they would be allowed to import from outside, like multiple countries around the world do for their peaceful civil nuclear programs.' 'If Iran wants a civil nuclear program, they can have one just like many other countries in the world have one, and that is they import enriched material,' he said. The U.N. nuclear watchdog – the International Atomic Energy Agency – has said that Iran is 'dramatically' accelerating enrichment of uranium to up to 60% purity, close to the roughly 90% weapons-grade level and enough enriched uranium to make over 3 nuclear bombs. Western countries say there is no need to enrich uranium to such a high level for civilian uses and that no other country has done so without producing nuclear bombs. Reuters/Yahoo/YL
