The report, published by Yedioth Ahronoth on Friday, said Iranian scientists examined what it described as a \u201cfourth-generation\u201d nuclear weapon based on pure fusion, a technology that no country is known to have successfully produced.<\/p>\n
\u201cSuch fusion does not require uranium or plutonium, and produces almost no radiation or fallout,\u201d the report said.<\/p>\n
Why pursue fusion research<\/strong><\/p>\n The Israeli report said it was unclear why Iran pursued research into pure fusion given the extreme technical difficulty of the approach.<\/p>\n It outlined several possible explanations, including that the work was meant to obscure continued interest in conventional nuclear weapons, to explore ways around international non-proliferation frameworks, or to build scientific knowledge that could shorten development timelines if Tehran later chose another path.<\/p>\n Another explanation cited was that Iran sought experience with highly complex nuclear physics challenges, even if the fusion route itself was not practical.<\/p>\n Washington Post cites intelligence from 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n The Israeli account broadly aligns with reporting this week by the Washington Post, which said US and Israeli intelligence agencies began gathering information in 2023 indicating that Iranian scientists were exploring several nuclear weapon paths, including fusion-based concepts.<\/p>\n The Post said US intelligence assessed that Iranian researchers were also studying a crude fission device that could be built more quickly if Iran\u2019s leadership reversed a long-standing ban on nuclear weapons, while fusion research was viewed as more aspirational.<\/p>\n US and Israeli analysts agreed that a fusion weapon would be \u201cbeyond Iran\u2019s reach,\u201d the Post said.<\/p>\n Satellite images show site activity<\/strong><\/p>\n Separately, a US-based think tank said satellite imagery shows new activity at Iran\u2019s Natanz nuclear site, which was damaged during the June conflict.<\/p>\n