U.S. and Israeli military operations have intensified against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, focusing on a deeply buried site known as Pickaxe Mountain, located beneath a granite mountain near Natanz. The site reportedly extends up to 100 meters underground, leading experts to warn it must be neutralized before the current conflict concludes.
Reinforced Underground Facility Raises Strategic Concerns
Satellite images from mid-February reveal Iran’s accelerated efforts to strengthen Pickaxe Mountain against airstrikes. The Institute for Science and International Security reported concrete reinforcements at tunnel entrances and visible construction materials, indicating added protection designed to withstand strikes. This facility, roughly a mile from the Natanz enrichment plant, is believed to house centrifuge assembly operations initiated in 2021.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump highlighted Iran’s push to develop nuclear activities at deeper, granite-protected sites despite previous strikes that targeted major nuclear complexes, including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
Nonproliferation Experts Emphasize Urgency in Securing Materials
Andrea Stricker, deputy director of the Nonproliferation Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, stated that before concluding combat operations, U.S. and Israeli forces must neutralize Pickaxe Mountain and secure or destroy Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpiles. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) noted Iran possessed around 441 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% as of mid-2025, with approximately 200 kilograms stored in deep tunnels at a complex outside Isfahan. Additional quantities are reportedly held at Natanz’s fortified underground site.
The ongoing strikes, identified by U.S. Central Command as Operation Epic Fury, have hit over 7,800 targets in Iran as of March 18, 2026. Intelligence assessments suggest the site remains a significant obstacle in efforts to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons capabilities.
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