- Former President Trump has threatened to attack Pickaxe Mountain, an underground nuclear facility in Iran, stating that the military would be hitting that area pretty soon.
- Trump's threats included an admission that US intelligence sees no activity at Pickaxe Mountain, suggesting that Iran is struggling with its nuclear situation.
- Pickaxe Mountain is located 220km (140 miles) south of Tehran and is estimated to be buried almost 100 metres inside a mountain.
- Construction of the facility at Pickaxe Mountain began in 2020, and it is reported that the site is not yet operational.
Former President Donald Trump has escalated tensions with Iran by threatening military action against the underground nuclear facility at Pickaxe Mountain, located near Natanz. Trump stated, "We’ll probably give Pickaxe a shot relatively soon," despite acknowledging that U.S. intelligence reports no current activity at the site.13456
The facility, known in Iran as Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La, is reportedly buried almost 100 meters inside the mountain and has been under construction since 2020. Rafael Grossi, chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), noted that Iran has systematically aimed to relocate its sensitive nuclear facilities underground, with Pickaxe Mountain being a key site.
According to the ISIS thinktank, the facility is not yet operational, and its future functionality remains uncertain based on satellite imagery. Trump’s comments come amid concerns that the complex is fortified beyond the reach of the most powerful U.S. bunker buster bombs. Experts suggest that ground forces may be more effective for an attack, although vulnerabilities could exist for deep earth penetrating weapons.
Trump's remarks reflect a broader strategy to counter Iran's nuclear ambitions, which he claims are faltering. He stated, "They’re not doing well with their nuclear situation. Every time we hear about it, we blow it up." As tensions rise, the international community watches closely for developments regarding Iran's nuclear capabilities and U.S. military responses.
“Experts assess the deeply buried complex is beyond the reach of the most powerful bunker buster bombs in the US arsenal, and construction began in 2020 with the facility not yet operational. Trump earlier admitted intelligence sees 'no activity there' and said 'we'll probably give Pickaxe a shot relatively soon.'”
The Guardian
