Iran may be trying to rebuild parts of its nuclear programme after moving thousands of uranium-enrichment centrifuges to a deeply buried underground facility, according to Israeli intelligence claims cited in a Wall Street Journal report.
Israeli and US officials told the newspaper that Iran transferred the centrifuges to Pickaxe Mountain, also known as Mount Kolang, after the 12-day Israel-Iran conflict in June. During the conflict, Israeli and US forces carried out strikes on Iran’s three major nuclear facilities.
Israel reportedly shared the intelligence with Washington, raising concerns that Tehran could restart nuclear activities at a highly protected underground location.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also been pushing US President Donald Trump to take stronger military action against Iran to stop the rebuilding of its nuclear infrastructure.
Why is Pickaxe Mountain becoming a major target?
Pickaxe Mountain has emerged as a possible future target for the United States. Trump recently warned that Washington could strike the underground complex, describing it as a potential target for a “nice big fat shot”.
In an interview with conservative broadcaster Hugh Hewitt on July 13, Trump said the US was closely monitoring the site and suggested that military action against the facility could happen soon.
The underground complex is located near Iran’s damaged Natanz uranium enrichment facility. Experts believe the facility has two tunnel networks buried deep inside a mountain, making it extremely difficult to attack even with powerful bunker-busting weapons.
The site was developed as a replacement for an Iranian centrifuge assembly facility damaged in a 2020 explosion, which Iran blamed on sabotage.
Is Iran preparing a hidden nuclear facility?
Experts have warned for years that Pickaxe Mountain could be used to store nuclear equipment or develop a smaller uranium enrichment operation.
According to the Institute for Science and International Security, satellite images and intelligence reports have shown increased activity at the site, including truck movements, tunnel construction and stronger security arrangements.
Officials believe Iran may have moved surviving centrifuges underground after the June strikes to protect them from future attacks.
First published on: Jul 21, 2026 11:09 AM IST
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About the Author
Shivam Verma
Shivam Verma is a Chief-Sub-Editor at News24. A postgraduate diploma holder in Integrated Journalism from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai, Shivam focuses on international affairs, diplomacy, defence, and politics. Beyond the newsroom, he is passionate about football, both playing and watching, and enjoys travelling to explore new places and cuisines.
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