Location: Lashkar-Abad; Ramandeh, near Hashtgerd
Subordinate to: AEOI; Lashkar- Abad is part of the Research and Development Division; Ramandeh is part of the Karaj Agricultural and Medical Centre.
Size: Smaller than Natanz
Primary Function: Uranium enrichment

Description:

On 27 May 2003, the People's Mojedin Organization (MKO) revealed that two additional secret uranium enrichment facilities were being constructed by the Iranian government. The first is at Lashkar-Abad, which is close to Hashtgerd, and the second is at Ramandeh.

The MKO asserted that construction at both facilities is complete and there may already be "a number" of centrifuges installed there. The MKO also stated that the additional facilities are "complimentary" to the larger Natanz site, and may support the larger facility or even take over for Natanz if it were destroyed. The MKO claims that these additional sites may be under the management of the front company, "Noor-Afza-Gostar." In July 2003, the IAEA sought permission to take environmental samples at these two sites, but the Iranian authorities refused their access.

IAEA inspectors were permitted visits to these locations on 13 August 2003. During that visit, they determined that the Lashkar-Abad facility was operating a laser laboratory. Iranian officials claim that the facility was originally devoted to laser fusion research and laser spectroscopy, but that its focus has since changed. The IAEA inspectors noted that the facility was engaging in the production of copper vapour lasers of up to 100 watts, but that no experiments involving laser spectroscopy or enrichment appeared to be underway.

The officials claimed that in the past, the laser division of the AEOI had cooperated with a university student to write a thesis in laser spectroscopy of SF6. The IAEA noted in its August 2003 to its board of governors, that, "While the study could be seen as relevant to laser enrichment, the underlying experiments appear not to have involved nuclear material." IAEA inspectors were not able to take environmental samples at Lashkar-Abad.

Key Sources:
[1] "Iran: MKO Website Carries Statement on secret Nuclear Sites Near Tehran," Iran Mohahedin, 28 May 03, FBIS, Doc ID: IAP2003052800014.
[2] Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in the Islamic Republic of Iran, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), 26 August 2003, p. 8.

	Updated January 2006