Diplomatic relations between the United States (US) and Iran have reached a new low. US President Donald Trump has issued a harsh threat to launch a military strike against Iran's underground nuclear facility, which was recently relocated to the Pickaxe Mountain area in Natanz. This step was taken after Washington received intelligence reports regarding Tehran's relocation of nuclear centrifuges.
Trump emphasized that the US military has full readiness to destroy the installation without the Iranian side being able to prevent it. Speaking to local media, he expressed his confidence that this military operation would have a significant impact and is planned for the near future. This threat reinforces the geopolitical tensions that continue to smolder in the Middle East region.
The planned attack aligns with Israeli intelligence findings that detected the relocation of advanced centrifuges and Iran's uranium stockpiles to the underground complex south of Tehran. Pickaxe Mountain has been under close surveillance for the past few months as it is considered a vital, highly protected center of Iran's nuclear program.
Geographically and structurally, this nuclear base presents a major challenge for both the US and Israeli militaries due to its location deep underground and flanked by natural defenses. To prevent infiltration, the Iranian side has reportedly tightened security by collapsing a number of access tunnels and planting landmines at the main entrances.
Currently, Iran is estimated to possess around 440 kilograms of highly enriched uranium, most of which is believed to have been moved to Pickaxe Mountain. Military fortification activities at the site reportedly surged following a 12-day armed conflict between Israel and Iran in June 2025. Although the US has previously struck other nuclear sites such as Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, the Pickaxe Mountain complex remains untouched by attacks to date.
