Following an Israeli airstrike that destroyed an S-300 'Tombstone' radar in Isfahan, Iran swiftly replaced it with a different model, the 96l6e 'Cheese board' radar, in an attempt to maintain the appearance of operational capability. This rapid substitution was part of a broader strategy of denial and deception, aimed at misleading observers and averting a potential crisis. Despite Iran's efforts, the replacement radar is not interchangeable and is unlikely to function as effectively. The incident was documented in new satellite images shared exclusively with The Economist, which highlighted the extent of Iran's cover-up efforts.
Iran is unlikely to fool America or Israel, both of which have high-end satellites. But a quick switcheroo has allowed the country’s propagandists to claim all is well. That may have averted a broader crisis https://t.co/CdqjuF0JdL 👇
How Iran covered up the damage from Israel’s strikes: New images shared with The Economist show how a swap helped calm a crisis. https://t.co/ZRL6TBlR8B
New satellite images shared exclusively with The Economist show how a swap by Iran helped calm a crisis https://t.co/8nW9azfBFk Photo: AP https://t.co/TaLkFoDmZ2
How Iran covered up the damage from Israel’s strikes New images shared with The Economist show how a swap helped calm a crisis https://t.co/noAzKBeXEp
According to "The Economist," immediately after the attack, Iran hurried to replace the damaged air defense battery in Isfahan so that they could claim, through satellite images, that there was no damage. https://t.co/6xC7GoRKih
Economist: Israel struck an Iranian “Tombstone” radar then Iran "pulled a switcheroo" and replaced it with a different 96l6e “Cheese board” radar on the same spot. “It’s a case of denial and deception...to suggest the site is still operational.” https://t.co/gJj0VkbI1V
#Israel's strike on #Iran *did* destroy an S-300 'Tombstone' radar in #Isfahan, but within hours it'd replaced it with a similar model -- in a "switcheroo" intended to cover-up its loss. But the replacement isn't interchangeable -- it's unlikely to work. https://t.co/ebF22bZMrC https://t.co/fiSCk5ZRJ4
My new piece, citing @CSBiggers' analysis, explains how Iran kept up its story that Israel didn't hit anything: they substituted a (completely different) radar for the one Israel struck to make it look like the S-300 battery at Natanz is still operational. https://t.co/XHPk9mJOQV
Told @AlHadath (Arabic) that Islamist #Iran regime hides its nuclear program since day one. It was Western intel that discovered the Natanz nuclear facility, IAEA cameras have been removed, Tehran says program is not for military purposes and enriches to 60 percent when experts… https://t.co/pyYK0Nf3jg