Iran's Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site sees surge in construction activity, analysts say – report

Satellite imagery analyzed by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) indicates increased construction at Iran's Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site over the past year. Analysts note a shift from excavation to "internal construction and continued exterior reinforcement," suggesting the site is being prepared for potential nuclear-weapons-relevant work, such as centrifuge assembly or enrichment, though it is not yet capable of enrichment. The US has considered Pickaxe Mountain a potential target in escalated conflict, with the Defense Department reportedly conducting a "planning sprint" on strikes against Iranian underground facilities. Due to the site's deep granite location, existing US non-nuclear bombs may be insufficient. The US is developing a next-generation penetrator weapon to target deeply buried facilities, with a prototype contract awarded in September 2025.