What is Iran’s secretive Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site?
The Pickaxe facility, located near the Natanz enrichment complex, is believed to be buried deeper than Fordow and was not attacked during the 12-day war or the current round of fighting.
Iran's secretive Pickaxe Mountain nuclear facility, known as Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La, is located near the Natanz enrichment complex in Isfahan Province. Believed to be buried deeper than Fordow and highly protected, it has never been attacked, unlike other Iranian nuclear sites. Construction began after a 2020 sabotage at Natanz, with Iran's then-nuclear head Ali Akbar Salehi stating a new centrifuge assembly hall would be built "in the heart of the mountain near Natanz."
- Former President Donald Trump stated the U.S. would target Pickaxe Mountain, telling Iran to "get ready."
- Trump insisted that IAEA inspectors must be allowed into the site before any new agreement, despite claiming the U.S. had "eyes" on it and saw no activity.
- This contradicts a recent report by the Institute for Science and International Security, which, based on satellite imagery, indicated ongoing work inside the tunnel complex and reinforcement of entrances, potentially violating a U.S.-Iran Memorandum of Understanding.
- The facility's depth and lack of IAEA access make its internal structure largely unknown, posing a significant challenge for any potential strike.
© All rights to the original article belong to the source. Din Online shows a headline, an excerpt and a link only. The objectivity rating is computed automatically and is an estimate only.
Discussion
No comments yet — be the first to comment.