Iran war: What is Pickaxe Mountain and why does Trump want to attack it?

What Happened

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened on 1 April to attack Pickaxe Mountain, a fortified underground facility located 1.6 km south of the Natanz uranium enrichment complex in central Iran. Trump said 'We'll be hitting that area very probably pretty soon,' two months after the U.S. and Israel conducted a 12-day bombing campaign that struck Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow. Israel claims Iran transferred part of its enriched uranium stockpile and advanced centrifuges to the site after the June 2025 attacks, but has provided no evidence. Trump acknowledged the U.S. cannot confirm the Israeli assertion, saying 'We don't have it on record.' Iran denies any undeclared nuclear work at the site, which it told the IAEA was designed for centrifuge manufacturing. The facility, built at least 100 metres beneath Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La, has visible tunnel systems, perimeter security, and reinforced entrances, according to satellite imagery analysed by the Institute for Science and International Security. Construction began in 2020 and appears to have accelerated since the June strikes. Tehran warned that any strike on its nuclear facilities would widen the regional war.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

Trump's threat raises the risk of direct U.S. strikes on a deeply buried Iranian facility suspected of housing nuclear material, potentially triggering a wider regional war. The standoff tests the credibility of Israeli intelligence as the U.S. distances itself from unverified claims, while highlighting the unresolved fate of Iran's nearly 450 kg of highly enriched uranium. For Tehran, the site's fortified construction and proximity to previously bombed Natanz make it a symbol of the programme's resilience under attack. An American strike would mark a significant escalation beyond the June 2025 campaign and could fracture the diplomatic backchannel for nuclear talks.

Watch For

Monitor for an actual U.S. strike on Pickaxe Mountain or surrounding areas, any release of satellite imagery or intelligence by Israel to substantiate its claims, statements from the IAEA regarding the facility's operational status, and Iranian military responses or diplomatic moves. The next IAEA Board of Governors meeting in June 2025 will likely address compliance issues.