Sources familiar with the matter have told Nimruztv that the Taliban have introduced significant structural changes within Afghanistan’s Atomic Energy Administration and imposed stricter controls on employees in recent years.
According to documents and information obtained by Nimruztv, the agency is currently operating from a new facility in Kabul and employs approximately 400 staff members across various departments.
Sources say that alongside technical and scientific divisions, the Taliban have established a department known as “Da’wah and Guidance” within the institution and implemented stricter security procedures governing employee access and daily activities.
Information reviewed by Nimruztv indicates the existence of departments focused on chemical technology and radioactive materials, nuclear applications, and another section reportedly described as dealing with drone and atomic weapons-related matters.
According to sources, employees are subjected to security screenings when entering the facility, personal belongings are collected, and workplace activities are closely monitored.
Sources further claim that the Taliban have recently increased their focus on the research, analysis, and assessment of radioactive materials, although no official details regarding these activities have been publicly released.
Several former specialists from Afghanistan’s Atomic Energy Administration told Nimruztv that while efforts appear to be underway to restore certain laboratories and technical equipment, there is no evidence that Afghanistan possesses the scientific, industrial, or technical infrastructure required to develop nuclear weapons.
The experts emphasized that Afghanistan has neither historically possessed nor currently possesses the capabilities necessary for a nuclear weapons program.
They added that the Taliban have reportedly pursued educational and technical cooperation with several countries in fields related to physics, engineering, and nuclear sciences.
The Taliban have not publicly commented on the details of the agency’s current activities.
Afghanistan has been a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) since 1957. The agency is responsible for monitoring the peaceful use of nuclear technology among its member states.
While questions remain regarding the future direction of Afghanistan’s atomic energy sector, specialists stress that available evidence points toward limited technical capacity rather than any operational nuclear weapons capability.
