The Iranian government is constructing a new nuclear facility located deep beneath a mountain range near the Natanz nuclear site. Referred to as 'Pickaxe Mountain' or the Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La, the facility is being built at a depth that experts believe may be resistant to conventional bunker-buster munitions.
Satellite imagery and analysis of excavation debris indicate that the site is significantly deeper than the existing underground enrichment halls at Natanz. According to non-proliferation experts, the depth of the facility suggests it is being built to withstand potential aerial bombardments. The Iranian government has stated that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, though Western officials have raised concerns regarding the site's potential for uranium enrichment.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly issued statements regarding the under-construction site, indicating that the U.S. military has considered various options to address the facility. These statements come amid heightened tensions and ongoing military strikes between the two nations following incidents involving regional infrastructure and maritime routes.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) continues to monitor Iran's nuclear activities. While the agency has previously confirmed the existence of the construction project, the specific technical capabilities and intended final depth of the facility remain subjects of international intelligence assessments. Iranian officials have not permitted full access to the construction site.