Israeli intelligence officials believe Iran moved thousands of centrifuges used to enrich uranium deep inside the so-called “Pickaxe Mountain” site this past fall, raising fears that the Islamic Republic can quickly reconstitute its nuclear program.
The intelligence has been passed to the US, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday, though it is unclear what, if any, action will come from it.
A satellite image of the entrance to Pickaxe Mountain on June 21, 2026. via REUTERS
A map of the Natanz nuclear facility near Pickaxe Mountain. Tam Nguyen / NYPost Design
In an interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt last week, President Trump called Pickaxe Mountain “a possible target for a nice, big, fat shot right in the front door. And I think that you’ll — maybe you’ll see that.”
A satellite image of Pickaxe Mountain and its entrances to tunnels. via REUTERS
A satellite view of Natanz nuclear facility and Pickaxe Mountain in Iran on June 30, 2026. via REUTERS
The deeply buried installation is just minutes from the Natanz nuclear facility, one of three hit by US airstrikes in June 2025.
