What is Pickaxe Mountain, Iran’s secretive facility Trump says the US will attack ‘pretty soon’?

President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the United States plans to strike Iran's Pickaxe Mountain, a mysterious underground facility he described as a critical component of Tehran's nuclear program. According to Trump, the attack is imminent, and Iran will have little to no ability to prevent it. This statement comes amid heightened tensions following a series of strikes targeting Iran's nuclear infrastructure earlier this year. Pickaxe Mountain is an undisclosed, deeply buried facility located approximately one mile south of the Natanz uranium-enrichment plant, which was previously attacked by both the U.S. and Israel. Situated within the mountain known as Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La, translating to "Pickaxe", the site is estimated to be at least 100 meters beneath the surface. The location makes it exceptionally challenging to access, particularly for ground-based military operations. Construction on the facility began in 2020, with Iran informing the United Nations' International Atomic Energy Agency that it intended to use the site for assembling centrifuges used in nuclear fuel production. Despite its strategic importance, Pickaxe Mountain remains largely unknown to the public. There are no official blueprints or detailed descriptions of the structure, and much of what is known comes from satellite imagery analyzed by organizations such as the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS). These analyses suggest the presence of multiple tunnel systems, a substantial security perimeter, and reinforced entry points designed to withstand aerial bombardments. According to reports, the facility is still under construction and has not yet reached full operational status. However, activity around the site appears to have accelerated in recent months, coinciding with the June 2025 attacks on Iran's other nuclear sites. During that period, Israel launched strikes against the Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow facilities, killing several high-ranking Iranian nuclear scientists. The U.S. joined the campaign later, using more powerful munitions to damage the same targets. Notably, Pickaxe Mountain was not among the sites hit during these attacks. Experts speculate that the increased activity at Pickaxe Mountain could indicate that Iran is either completing the installation of advanced centrifuges, relocating operations from the damaged sites, or constructing a covert enrichment facility. Israeli intelligence reportedly believes that Iran relocated some of its enriched uranium stockpiles and advanced centrifuges to the site following the attacks. This move would allow Iran to continue its nuclear work while avoiding direct confrontation with the U.S. and Israel. Trump, however, appeared skeptical of these claims when questioned about the possibility of Iran moving its centrifuges to Pickaxe Mountain. He stated, “We don’t have it on record,” suggesting that the administration lacks definitive evidence supporting the allegations. Meanwhile, a senior Iranian security official told CNN in mid-July that the reports of active nuclear work at Pickaxe Mountain were unfounded. Tehran has consistently denied accusations that it is advancing its nuclear capabilities in secret. In response to Trump’s threats, Iranian state media warned that any U.S. attack on its nuclear facilities would be regarded as an escalation of regional conflict. This stance reflects the broader geopolitical tension between Washington and Tehran, with both sides accusing each other of pursuing aggressive nuclear ambitions. As the situation evolves, the fate of Pickaxe Mountain, and its role in Iran’s nuclear strategy, remains a focal point of international concern.