Key Iranian Nuclear Figure Identified as Quiet Logistics Expert, Not Scientist or General

Amid the layers of secrecy surrounding Iran's nuclear program, a lesser-known but crucial figure has emerged: Seyed Shams al-Din Barbarudi. Unlike the commonly cited scientists and Revolutionary Guard commanders, Barbarudi operates behind the scenes in logistics and infrastructure, playing a pivotal role in sustaining the program.

Barbarudi's involvement dates back to the early 2000s with Iran's military nuclear project, known as Project Amad. His name appeared in procurement and logistics documents, and in 2011, the European Union imposed sanctions on him. Despite this, his role was largely underestimated in the West, seen as a bureaucrat linked to a supposedly defunct program.

However, investigations, including those detailed in Ronen Solomon's book "Foiling the Bomb," reveal Barbarudi's continuous presence in critical areas related to uranium, raw materials, infrastructure, and tunneling. Notably, he was appointed to the board of a key company responsible for producing nuclear fuel and raw materials, sitting alongside senior officials such as former deputy head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, Behzad Soltani.

Barbarudi also chairs a company specializing in civil infrastructure, including tunnel excavation and complex engineering works. This dual role, overseeing uranium processing and managing engineering projects essential for fortified underground facilities, suggests he is integral to both the nuclear supply chain and the construction of protected nuclear sites.

Given his extensive knowledge of Iran's nuclear infrastructure and possible locations of enriched uranium storage, Barbarudi is likely a significant target for Israeli intelligence. His profile challenges previous assumptions about the leadership and operational structure of Iran's nuclear program.