July 14, 2026, 10:28July 14, 2026, 10:28
US President Donald Trump has threatened to attack a previously little-known Iranian nuclear facility. In a radio interview, he described the site known as “Pickaxe Mountain” as a possible target for a “big, fat” attack. This will probably happen “relatively soon,” said Trump.
Donald Trump is targeting “Pickaxe Mountain”.Image: keystone
The complex is located in Mount Kuh-e Kolang, south of the Natan nuclear facility in central Iran. “Pickaxe Mountain” is the English translation of the name. Natans was already the target of American air strikes last year.
Little is known about the exact purpose of “Pickaxe Mountain”. Construction began after a fire and explosion in July 2020 that severely damaged an above-ground advanced centrifuge assembly hall in Natans. Iran spoke of sabotage.
Cars at the entrance to “Pickaxe Mountain”.Image: keystone
Iran’s nuclear chief spoke about location in 2021
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, later confirmed that Iran had begun building a replacement underground facility. IAEA inspectors have not yet entered the halls. However, the well-known Natan enrichment plant was under international supervision for years.
«Today we have temporarily managed to build a replacement hall for the hall that exploded. “We are currently working day and night to build all of our assembly halls inside the mountains around Natans,” said then-Iranian nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi, a good year after the incident.
IAEA chief Rafael Grossi.Image: keystone
Possibly out of range of bunker-busting bombs
As US media reports, satellite images show several tunnel entrances and additional security systems around the area. A possible original purpose is the protected manufacture or assembly of centrifuges. At the same time, there has been speculation for years that Iran could also use the complex to enrich uranium, which could be used to build nuclear weapons.
Experts estimate that parts of the facility could lie 80 to 100 meters below the mountain surface. The data is based on satellite images and terrain analysis. If the estimate is correct, destruction would be difficult even with heavy bunker-busting bombs. However, it is unclear whether the facility is actually beyond the reach of American weapons. (dab/sda/dpa)