Israel says Iran moved thousands of centrifuges to Pickaxe Mountain - Report

Iran has reportedly relocated thousands of nuclear centrifuges to a deep underground facility known as Pickaxe Mountain, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing US and Israeli officials. The move, believed to have taken place last autumn, follows the 12-day conflict in June 2025, during which US and Israeli forces attacked several of Iran’s nuclear installations. The Pickaxe Mountain site, located within the Natanz area, remained untouched during that initial wave of attacks and has not been targeted in subsequent air campaigns beginning on February 28. The relocation of the centrifuges is thought to have occurred over a period of approximately 15 months, with increased activity observed at the site, including truck movements and construction work. The depth of the Pickaxe Mountain facility, over 300 feet beneath granite, makes it significantly more difficult to strike compared to previously targeted sites such as Natanz and Fordo. These locations were hit during the 2025 strikes, which damaged infrastructure and disrupted Iran’s nuclear capabilities. The origin of the centrifuges remains unclear, though the report suggests they may have been transferred from other Iranian nuclear sites. Iran has not permitted the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to inspect the Pickaxe Mountain location and has not disclosed operational details regarding the site. In March, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi noted that Iran had indicated in 2021 its intention to conduct nuclear activities at Pickaxe, although the extent of current operations is unknown. US President Donald Trump has expressed concerns over the potential threat posed by the site, stating that “Pickaxe is a possible target for a nice big fat shot right near the front door.” He warned that the United States would likely launch a heavy strike on the area where the centrifuges are rumored to be located “pretty soon” and “very heavily,” asserting that Tehran would be unable to prevent such action. A former US National Security Council official, Nate Swanson, who worked under the Biden administration, told the Wall Street Journal that the covert activity at an undeclared site raises serious concerns. “A covert breakout is the worst-case scenario,” he said, referencing the possibility of Iran producing a nuclear weapon. “We don’t know what Iran’s intentions are, but the fact that we can’t verify this site underscores how problematic the status quo is.” Iran continues to assert that its nuclear program serves solely civilian purposes, despite having enriched uranium to levels close to weapons-grade. This enrichment process, while not directly usable for peaceful applications, brings the country closer to the capability of developing nuclear weapons. The lack of transparency surrounding the Pickaxe Mountain facility further complicates international efforts to monitor and regulate Iran’s nuclear activities. As tensions persist, the situation highlights the ongoing challenges in verifying Iran’s nuclear intentions and ensuring compliance with international non-proliferation agreements. The continued secrecy around the Pickaxe Mountain site adds to these difficulties, leaving key questions unanswered about the scale and purpose of Iran’s nuclear advancements.