Surge in Construction at Suspected Iranian Nuclear Site Amid US Strike Plans

Satellite imagery has revealed a significant increase in construction activity this year at Pickaxe Mountain, a suspected Iranian nuclear facility buried under granite near the Natanz complex. Analysts and US intelligence officials view the site as a secure location for Iran’s nuclear program, raising concerns amid ongoing tensions and President Donald Trump’s repeated threats to strike the facility.

Intense Construction Activity Uncovered

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) think tank analyzed six years of satellite images and reported a “clear surge in construction activity” at Pickaxe Mountain during 2026. Located approximately 140 miles south of Tehran, the underground site is believed to be designed to protect Iran’s nuclear program from aerial attacks. The granite mountain’s natural defenses make it a challenging target for existing US bunker-busting weapons.

US Military Develops New Weapons for Deep-Underground Targets

In response to Iran’s fortified nuclear sites, the Pentagon has accelerated efforts to develop next-generation penetrator bombs capable of destroying deeply buried facilities like Pickaxe Mountain. A $1.2 million emergency contract was awarded in February 2026 to repair a testing site at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, where the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is conducting live-fire tests to validate new weapon capabilities. This effort aims to overcome the limitations of current munitions such as the Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP).

President Trump’s Escalating Threats and Military Options

President Donald Trump has publicly threatened to strike Pickaxe Mountain, stating last week, “We may hit Pickaxe very soon,” and emphasizing US intelligence tracking of activity at the site. Pickaxe was considered as a potential target during the summer when Trump warned of escalating military action against Iran. Military planners have included the site in strike packages that involve deploying some of the largest conventional bombs in the US arsenal.

Challenges of Targeting Iran’s Hardened Nuclear Facilities

The granite composition of Pickaxe Mountain and other sites like Isfahan has posed a significant obstacle to US strikes. While US forces successfully targeted some Iranian nuclear locations during Operation Midnight Hammer in June 2025, deeply buried entrances and reinforced tunnels have limited the effectiveness of current bunker busters. Experts believe Iran is relocating centrifuges and enrichment efforts to these fortified sites to ensure continuity of their nuclear program.

Ongoing Intelligence and Strategic Developments

US intelligence continues to monitor Pickaxe Mountain closely, with satellite imagery showing excavation and vehicle activity at a testing site in White Sands that mirrors the geological challenges posed by Iran’s underground facilities. While the Pentagon has not confirmed the details of tests or the timeline for deploying new weapons, the urgency of these developments underscores the strategic importance of countering Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

As tensions remain high, the expanding construction at Pickaxe Mountain and the US military’s push to develop more effective deep-penetration weapons highlight the evolving dynamics of the conflict and the complexity of targeting hardened underground facilities.