What Is Pickaxe Mountain, Iran’s Underground Nuclear Site That Trump Is Threatening?

Pickaxe Mountain, an underground nuclear facility in Iran, has become a focal point of recent U.S. military threats under President Donald Trump. Located approximately 220 kilometers south of Tehran and just two kilometers from the Natanz nuclear complex, the site is known within Iran as Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La. Trump announced during a press briefing in the Oval Office that the United States is considering a strike on the area, stating, “We’ll be hitting that area very probably pretty soon. And there’s not a thing they can do about it.” His remarks followed a series of escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran, particularly in the context of ongoing conflicts over the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The facility was constructed in 2020, following an explosion at the Natanz nuclear enrichment site that Iran attributed to sabotage. Construction of Pickaxe Mountain was initially aimed at replacing the damaged above-ground centrifuge assembly facility at Natanz. According to the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS), the underground complex lies approximately 328 feet below the surface, within a mountain that rises more than 5,000 feet above sea level. The depth and location make it a formidable structure, potentially capable of housing uranium enrichment operations or nuclear weapons production, although current evidence suggests it is not yet operational. Despite its strategic importance, Pickaxe Mountain remained untouched during the U.S.-led Operation Midnight Hammer in June 2025, which targeted Iran’s main nuclear facilities in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan. While the operation succeeded in damaging these sites, Pickaxe Mountain was not directly attacked. In fact, construction at the site reportedly accelerated in the wake of the strikes, suggesting that Iran may have viewed the facility as a backup or future expansion of its nuclear infrastructure. Satellite imagery analyzed by ISIS indicates that while the facility is not currently active, it is large enough to support uranium enrichment and potential nuclear weapons programs. However, there is no conclusive evidence that such activities are underway. The U.S. government has expressed concerns over the possibility of Iran moving nuclear materials or equipment into the tunnels, with Israeli intelligence reportedly sharing information with American officials about the relocation of centrifuges into the underground site. These reports suggest that Iran may be preparing to expand its nuclear capabilities in secret. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing that the U.S. military possesses the capability to strike deeply buried targets. He emphasized the strength of America’s military, stating, “If anybody in the world can reach anything on God’s green Earth, it’s the United States military, the most powerful military in the world.” This assertion aligns with broader discussions about the potential for further military action against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, especially as tensions continue to rise. Experts remain divided on the feasibility of attacking Pickaxe Mountain. James Acton, co-director of the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, noted that the site’s fortifications make it extremely challenging to destroy. He suggested that the best course of action would be to attempt to collapse the tunnel entrances rather than fully dismantle the structure. Such an approach would limit the damage while preventing Iran from gaining access to the facility’s contents. As the situation evolves, the international community watches closely. With both sides continuing to exchange threats and actions, the fate of Pickaxe Mountain, and the broader implications for regional security, remains uncertain. For now, the facility stands as a symbol of Iran’s growing nuclear ambitions and the persistent challenges faced by the global non-proliferation regime.