Key facts
- President Donald Trump has threatened to bomb a suspected underground nuclear site in Iran called Pickaxe Mountain.
- Satellite images indicate ongoing construction and access road work at the site, located near the Natanz nuclear complex.
- Iran denies any nuclear activity at Pickaxe Mountain, calling US threats a pretext for aggression.
- The facility is believed to be buried deep underground, potentially making it difficult to destroy with conventional or bunker-buster bombs.
- Experts suggest that while complete destruction might be unlikely, key infrastructure like tunnel entrances could be targeted.
- Unproven claims suggest the site could store enriched uranium or centrifuges, potentially for weapons development.
US President Donald Trump has issued repeated threats to bomb a suspected underground nuclear facility in Iran, referred to as Pickaxe Mountain, where recent satellite imagery indicates ongoing construction. Iran's foreign ministry has denied any nuclear activity at the site, characterizing the threats as a fabricated pretext for aggression.
Pickaxe Mountain, or Kuh-e Kolang, is situated south of Natanz, Iran's largest uranium enrichment facility. The exact purpose of Pickaxe Mountain remains unclear, though it is believed to be located deep within the mountain. In 2020, the former head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation mentioned plans for a more modern facility in the mountains near Natanz. Centrifuges, essential for uranium enrichment, could potentially be housed there.
Satellite images show at least four tunnel entrances and a perimeter fence. Recent imagery from June 2026 reveals construction vehicles and continued work on access roads. Experts note steady construction activity over the past year, likely focused on internal excavation and hardening the facility against aerial attacks.
The site's potential depth, estimated at around 100 meters underground, poses a significant challenge for bombing. Even with bunker-buster munitions like the US GBU-57, complete destruction of all underground chambers is considered unlikely due to the facility's depth and uncertain layout. However, experts suggest that targeting tunnel entrances, communication systems, and access roads could paralyze its operations.
Information regarding the underground operations is not publicly available, and it is uncertain if the facility is operational. There are unproven claims that Pickaxe Mountain might store Iran's highly enriched uranium or centrifuges transferred from Natanz and Fordo after they were bombed. Experts express concern that the site could become a location for producing weapon-grade uranium, although Iran maintains its nuclear program is for peaceful civilian purposes.