Iran’s regime has been secretly advancing its nuclear weapons programme under a new blueprint codenamed the “Kavir Plan”, according to intelligence obtained by the Iranian Resistance and corroborated by satellite imagery and independent nuclear experts. The clandestine project, which has replaced the now-exposed AMAD Plan, was launched by direct order of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in 2009 and placed under the command of regime-affiliated institutions, including the Organisation of Defensive Innovation and Research (SPND). It is alleged to involve the development of nuclear warheads under the guise of satellite-launching missile technology.

The scheme, named after the desert region where it is centred, has allegedly turned much of Iran’s Semnan province into a vast militarised zone. Civilian access has been restricted, and large swathes of land have been declared Red and Yellow Zones – the former entirely off-limits, the latter used for live-fire missile tests. Multiple sensitive sites, including Ivanaki, Shahroud and the Semnan expansion project, have been identified as key locations involved in the Kavir Plan. The Iranian Resistance claims that the programme’s real goal is nuclear weaponisation, not peaceful energy use. Their sources claim that, since 2009, Iran has used military cover and advanced deception tactics to conceal warhead development, missile integration, and the enrichment of uranium to weapons-grade levels.

The revelations come at a time when Iran is preparing to submit a counter-proposal to the United States for a new nuclear deal, after dismissing the most recent US offer as “unacceptable”.

Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed on Monday that the proposal would be submitted via Oman. He insisted the new plan would be “reasonable, logical and balanced” – but reiterated Iran’s demand that sanctions must be lifted in a way that restores normal trade and banking ties with other nations.

Baghaei also urged the international community to turn its attention to Israel, saying pressure should be placed on Tehran’s arch-rival to disarm its alleged nuclear arsenal. Israeli officials have never confirmed or denied the existence of such weapons.

Tensions between Tehran and Washington remain high.

While Iran insists its nuclear programme is peaceful, Western powers remain unconvinced – particularly following last month’s report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which found Iran had failed to provide credible answers about uranium traces at undeclared sites.

According to Soona Samsami, US Representative of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), the IAEA’s comprehensive May 31 report confirmed what the NCRI has long alleged: that Tehran’s nuclear programme has always been about weapons development.

The IAEA report – officially revealed this week – reveals that Iran carried out undeclared nuclear tests, prompting calls to refer the case to the UN Security Council.

“This is not new behaviour. The regime has never voluntarily disclosed any of its nuclear activities,” said Samsami.

“Every major revelation has come after exposure by the NCRI or its internal network in Iran – only then does Tehran admit to it.”

She accused the regime of operating a decades-long strategy of “concealment, deception, obfuscation, delaying, and destruction of evidence,” calling its nuclear programme “a life insurance policy for the mullahs’ regime.”

Samsami added that the real threat extended beyond nuclear development, saying: “This regime poses a danger to global peace through genocide inside Iran, its export of terrorism, and warmongering abroad.”

She warned that the Iranian regime was currently at its most fragile since 1979, noting mass executions and growing regional isolation. “That desperation makes the development of nuclear weapons more likely, not less.”

In light of the Kavir Plan revelations, the NCRI has called for a series of urgent international actions to curb Iran’s capabilities. These include reactivating the UN Security Council’s snapback mechanism to reimpose lapsed sanctions before the October expiry date, a total dismantling of uranium enrichment capability, and the closure of all nuclear and missile facilities under IAEA verification.

While the Iranian regime prepares its diplomatic counter-move, experts warn the window for meaningful pressure may be closing fast. “The time has come to end this cycle,” said Samsami. “Stalling has become Tehran’s most effective weapon.”