Why Trump Targeted Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain

President Donald Trump proposed targeting Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La, a mysterious underground complex near Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility, during a White House event on July 21. According to U.S. and international reporting, the heavily fortified site—dug deep into a mountain south of Tehran—has drawn intense scrutiny from intelligence agencies over whether Iran has relocated thousands of uranium enrichment centrifuges there following previous military strikes.

Military Threats and Intelligence Assessments at Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La

President Donald Trump stated on July 21 that the United States “might very well strike that area in the near future,” claiming potential uranium enrichment activities at the site. Teheran has kept details about the complex scarce, and inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have never been granted access to the location, according to statements from IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi.

Most public assessments rely on commercial satellite imagery, such as images published by Maxar Technologies, which show ongoing construction since 2020. These images reveal new tunnel entrances, access roads, security installations, and large piles of excavated rock. According to the Institute for Science and International Security, parts of the facility may be buried 80 to 100 meters underground beneath the mountain, potentially placing it out of reach for standard bunker-buster bombs.

Centrifuge Relocation Reports and Uranium Stockpiles

In June 2026, The Wall Street Journal reported that Israeli intelligence assessed Iran may have moved thousands of uranium enrichment centrifuge machines or other sensitive equipment to the Pickaxe complex following a 12-day air campaign by the U.S. and Israel in June. When questioned about the report, Trump stated on July 21 that Iran “may have” moved the equipment, but added that the U.S. did not have official records confirming it.

Construction at the site accelerated following a July 2020 explosion at Natanz that damaged an advanced centrifuge assembly workshop, an incident Iranian authorities characterized as sabotage. Iran subsequently announced plans to build a replacement underground facility that officials described as larger and more heavily protected. Meanwhile, international inspectors and intelligence reports confirm that Iran maintains approximately 440 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60% purity, a level far exceeding civilian requirements and nearing the 90% threshold needed for weapons production, though Tehran maintains its nuclear program is entirely peaceful.

Strategic Importance and Vulnerability to Airstrikes

Farzin Nadimi, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, told DW that the strategic significance of the Pickaxe mountain lies in its resilience against bunker-busting munitions and its proximity to Natanz. Nadimi noted that airstrikes in June damaging facilities at Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan made underground consolidation a priority for Iranian security planners.

Military experts remain divided on whether U.S. bunker-busting weapons can effectively penetrate the deepest sections of the mountain, as the exact internal layout, tunnel depths, and location of critical infrastructure have never been publicly disclosed. Because assessing damage inside a mountain is difficult compared to surface structures like Natanz or Fordo, analysts suggest that any potential military operation might target tunnel entrances, access roads, or support infrastructure rather than trying to collapse the entire subterranean network.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La complex located?

The complex is located in the Isfahan province south of Tehran, approximately two kilometers away from the Natanz nuclear facility.

Have IAEA inspectors visited the Pickaxe mountain site?

No. According to IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, inspectors have never been granted permission to enter the underground facility.

Why are intelligence agencies monitoring the site?

Intelligence reports, including assessments cited by The Wall Street Journal, indicate Iran may have moved thousands of uranium enrichment centrifuges into the deep underground tunnels following military strikes in 2025.

What is Iran’s stated purpose for the underground facilities?

Teheran maintains that its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes and that underground construction is necessary to protect its nuclear infrastructure from military attacks and sabotage.

---

What are your thoughts on the developments surrounding Iran’s underground nuclear facilities? Share your perspective in the comments below, explore our latest international security reports, or subscribe to our newsletter for updates.