Iran’s nuclear programme is once again at the centre of a growing geopolitical confrontation, as Tehran faces international pressure while deepening nuclear cooperation with Russia.

Iran operates Russian-designed nuclear infrastructure at Bushehr, while further Russian-Iranian nuclear projects are also under development. Iranian officials have described expanding cooperation with Moscow, including work involving nuclear power and radiopharmaceuticals.

At the same time, Iran’s fortified nuclear facilities remain a major concern for the United States and its allies. The heavily fortified Pickaxe Mountain site near Natanz has emerged as a particular focus amid the continuing US-Iran conflict.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has also referred Iran to the UN Security Council over its failure to cooperate with a long-running investigation into undeclared uranium traces. Iran continues to insist that its nuclear programme is peaceful.

As Russia deepens its relationship with Tehran, the nuclear question is becoming an increasingly important part of the wider geopolitical contest.

Watch GRAVITAS for a closer look at Iran’s nuclear capabilities, Russia’s expanding role and what this partnership could mean for the future of the region.

Iran's Nuclear Fortress Is Getting Stronger as Russia Expands Its Nuclear Ties | GRAVITAS 

A suspected Iranian nuclear site beneath a granite mountain near the Natanz nuclear complex, about 140 miles south of Tehran, has been witnessing an increase in construction activity, as per satellite imagery analysis reviewed by CNN. The Pickaxe Mountain site has been the subject of sustained attention from intelligence agencies, which view it as a likely location for protecting future Iranian nuclear programme activities.&nbsp;The developments around Pickaxe Mountain come as fighting between the US and Iran has intensified again after a month of relative calm.&nbsp;The analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), after reviewing six years of satellite imagery, shared exclusively with CNN ahead of its publication, found “a clear surge in construction activity” at the site in 2026.The CSIS analysts said the underground facility was “likely” designed as a safe haven for Iran’s nuclear programme.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/singapore-s-pm-world-s-highest-paid-leader-gets-64-hike-surges-far-ahead-of-his-global-peers-1788966635640">Singapore’s PM, world’s highest paid leader, gets 64% hike; surges far ahead of his global peers</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Construction activity has surged this year at Pickaxe Mountain, a suspected Iranian nuclear site near Natanz, 140 miles south of Tehran, per new CSIS satellite analysis shared with CNN. <a href="https://t.co/GGMCVdHvui">https://t.co/GGMCVdHvui</a> <a href="https://t.co/AK8zhly9ft">pic.twitter.com/AK8zhly9ft</a>&mdash; Open Source Intel (@Osint613) <a href="https://x.com/Osint613/status/2097656575867375706?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>‘Facility not yet capable of enrichment work’</h2>&nbsp;As per the CSIS analysis, construction at Pickaxe Mountain has progressed from active excavation to probable internal construction and continued reinforcement of the site’s exterior.The work has included raising and hardening tunnel portal accesses, paving the internal road network, reinforcing areas around the accesses and flattening and removing dirt excavated during tunnel construction.The CSIS analysts added that the “continuous construction” observed at the site, among other factors, suggested it was “not yet capable of enrichment work, if that is the intended purpose”.&nbsp;The facility is probably designed for one of three purposes, according to the analysis. It could serve as a centrifuge assembly facility, an enrichment facility or a safe haven for other ‘relevant’ activities such as uranium metal conversion.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/festivals-are-inclusive-if-muslim-comes-to-garba-cm-fadnavis-s-wife-amruta-after-vhp-bans-entry-1788959055047">‘Festivals are inclusive, if Muslim comes to garba...’: CM Fadnavis’s wife Amruta after VHP bans entry</a>&nbsp;Israeli intelligence has suggested that Iran may be seeking to move centrifuges to Pickaxe Mountain as part of uranium enrichment efforts.&nbsp;<h2>Trump has repeatedly threatened to strike the heavily fortified site</h2>&nbsp;US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to strike the heavily fortified site.“We may hit Pickaxe very soon,” Trump told reporters last week.Trump also said the US could “hit” Pickaxe Mountain if it detected activity there. The US military maintains operational plans for strikes against Pickaxe Mountain, reported CNN, citing a source familiar with the matter.&nbsp;The site was part of a target package considered this summer when Trump was threatening to escalate the conflict with Iran. The strike plan involved the use of some of the largest bombs in the US arsenal, the source said, though there were doubts whether those weapons could penetrate deep enough underground to destroy whatever Iran may have moved there.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-strikes-iranian-tankers-after-missile-attack-attempts-on-warship-irgc-vows-to-retaliate-1788902833158">US strikes Iranian tankers after missile attack attempts on warship; IRGC vows to retaliate</a>&nbsp;The granite mountain presents a difficult target even for the Pentagon’s “heaviest non-nuclear” bombs, according to the CSIS team.&nbsp;<h2>US working on ways to target deeply buried underground facilities</h2>&nbsp;The US has been working on ways to target deeply buried underground facilities. Four days before the US launched Operation Epic Fury, a programme manager at the Defence Threat Reduction Agency signed an emergency $1.2 million contract justification to repair a “unique subterranean test facility at White Sands Missile Range” in New Mexico.The contract was for a “live-fire test designed to validate classified capabilities against rapidly emerging threats”.&nbsp;Sources familiar with the matter said the plans involved developing a way to target Iran’s deepest-buried underground facilities, likely including simulations of US strikes against specific nuclear sites.&nbsp;<h2>New penetrator weapon under development</h2>&nbsp;The US had previously struck Iranian nuclear sites in June 2025 during Operation Midnight Hammer.However, Pentagon believed its Massive Ordnance Penetrator, or MOP, bunker-busting bombs could not destroy the facility.The US military is now working on a “next generation penetrator” bomb intended to reach targets buried even deeper underground.

The Pickaxe Mountain site has been the subject of sustained attention from intelligence agencies, which view it as a likely location for protecting future Iranian nuclear programme activities. The underground facility was “likely” designed as a safe haven for Iran’s nuclear programme.

A suspected Iranian nuclear site beneath a granite mountain near the Natanz nuclear complex, about 140 miles south of Tehran, has been witnessing an increase in construction activity, as per satellite imagery analysis reviewed by CNN. The Pickaxe Mountain site has been the subject of sustained attention from intelligence agencies, which view it as a likely location for protecting future Iranian nuclear programme activities. The developments around Pickaxe Mountain come as fighting between the US and Iran has intensified again after a month of relative calm. The analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), after reviewing six years of satellite imagery, shared exclusively with CNN ahead of its publication, found “a clear surge in construction activity” at the site in 2026. The CSIS analysts said the underground facility was “likely” designed as a safe haven for Iran’s nuclear programme. Also Read: Singapore’s PM, world’s highest paid leader, gets 64% hike; surges far ahead of his global peers

The Pickaxe Mountain site has been the subject of sustained attention from intelligence agencies, which view it as a likely location for protecting future Iranian nuclear programme activities. The underground facility was “likely” designed as a safe haven for Iran’s nuclear programme.

Satellite images show construction surge at Iran’s Pickaxe nuclear site amid US war

US President Donald Trump has reiterated threat to attack Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain “very soon”, days after Washington targeted Iranian military targets. While speaking to reporters at the Oval office, Trump backed his &nbsp;months-long US military campaign against Iran, saying it was being done to stop Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.&nbsp;"We're in five months now. And you know what we did in five months? They're not going to have a nuclear weapon; that's what we did," Trump said.&nbsp;"Iran will not have a nuclear weapon because if they did, you probably wouldn't be standing here very long," he added.&nbsp;While making the statement he also warned of attacking the Pickaxe Mountain “very soon”, if the US detects activity there.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-10-killed-in-explosion-at-bolivia-military-base-several-injured-1788575337565">At least 10 killed in explosion at Bolivia military base, several injured</a>&nbsp;"We may hit Pickaxe very soon because if there was anything going on with Pickaxe," Trump said.&nbsp;He also &nbsp;highlighted that the US intelligence was closely monitoring activity at the site. "We know everybody that's moving at Pickaxe; we know everybody that's moving everywhere all over Iran. And if anything goes bad, we hit them; we hit them hard," Trump said.&nbsp;<h2>What is Iran's Pickaxe Mountain that Trump continues to threaten?</h2>&nbsp;<ul><li>Pickaxe Mountain is the site of Iran's heavily fortified nuclear programme that has not been the target of US and Israeli strikes</li><li>It is near the heavily damaged Natanz ‌uranium ⁠enrichment facility (Largest in Iran), which was bombed by both the US and Israel</li><li>The ​Pickaxe Mountain site ⁠hosts ​two deeply ​buried ⁠tunnel complexes</li><li>There have been claims that some of Iran's stock of highly enriched uranium are kept at this site, which could be further enriched for use in nuclear weapons</li><li>The site at Pickaxe Mountain, as claimed by experts, was likely chosen to protect it from air strikes</li><li>Some analysts estimate the core of the facility to be roughly 100m (328ft) underground</li></ul>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Some analysts estimate the core of the nuclear facility in the Pickaxe Mountain to be roughly 100m (328ft) underground.

US President Donald Trump has reiterated threat to attack Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain “very soon”, days after Washington targeted Iranian military targets. While speaking to reporters at the Oval office, Trump backed his months-long US military campaign against Iran, saying it was being done to stop Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. "We're in five months now. And you know what we did in five months? They're not going to have a nuclear weapon; that's what we did," Trump said. "Iran will not have a nuclear weapon because if they did, you probably wouldn't be standing here very long," he added. While making the statement he also warned of attacking the Pickaxe Mountain “very soon”, if the US detects activity there. ALSO READ: At least 10 killed in explosion at Bolivia military base, several injured "We may hit Pickaxe very soon because if there was anything going on with Pickaxe," Trump said. He also highlighted that the US intelligence was closely monitoring activity at the site. "We know everybody that's moving at Pickaxe; we know everybody that's moving everywhere all over Iran. And if anything goes bad, we hit them; we hit them hard," Trump said. What is Iran's Pickaxe Mountain that Trump continues to threaten? Pickaxe Mountain is the site of Iran's heavily fortified nuclear programme that has not been the target of US and Israeli strikes It is near the heavily damaged Natanz ‌uranium ⁠enrichment facility (Largest in Iran), which was bombed by both the US and Israel The Pickaxe Mountain site ⁠hosts two deeply buried ⁠tunnel complexes There have been claims that some of Iran's stock of highly enriched uranium are kept at this site, which could be further enriched for use in nuclear weapons The site at Pickaxe Mountain, as claimed by experts, was likely chosen to protect it from air strikes Some analysts estimate the core of the facility to be roughly 100m (328ft) underground

Some analysts estimate the core of the nuclear facility in the Pickaxe Mountain to be roughly 100m (328ft) underground.

What is Iran's Pickaxe Mountain that Trump has again threatened to bomb?

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that there had been very good talks with Iran, but threatened to target the Pickaxe mountain, bridges and power plant to “finish the job” if a deal is not reached.&nbsp;"We can be in the midst of a beautiful discussion, and they'll come out and say … 'we didn't discuss nuclear,'" Trump told Fox News. "Well that's all we discuss, because they'll never have a nuclear weapon. They understand that. And we have had some very good talks."He also dismissed reports of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offering to share intelligence on Iran's reconstruction of its nuclear programme. “I don’t need Bibi to tell me that. Bibi is telling me that because he wants me to stay involved,” said Trump.Trump once again mentioned the Pickaxe Mountain, suggesting that the US is surveilling it with "the greatest cameras in the world" and that "it was not a big problem.""We took out their nuclear sites, and we'll have to take out Pickaxe if we don't make a deal. If we don't make a deal, we'll take it out very easily," said Trump.Trump once again claimed that the US has destroyed almost all of Iran's capabilities and he will go back to “finish the job”, which will take them "forever to rebuild." He further added that he wanted to avoid such attacks and that the Iranian people have to live. "It's a very, ‌very delicate balance," Mr Trump told Fox. "So, I think we have a very strong position right now. They know I'm going to do ⁠that if they don't make a deal."&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-executes-two-protesters-isfahan-january-2026-unrest-1785238730473">Iran publicly executes two protesters in Isfahan over January unrest</a><h2>Why does Trump want to target Pickaxe Mountain?</h2>Trump is once again threatening to strike the Pickaxe Mountain nuclear facility, the site that the US left untouched till now. Situated beneath at least 100 meters of rock near Iran's damaged Natanz nuclear enrichment complex. It was supposedly designed to replace an above-ground complex, which was capable of assembling roughly 6000 advanced centrifuges, before being destroyed in 2020. Analysts suggest that it could hold a centrifuge assembly line, an enrichment plant or equipment used in nuclear weaponisation activities. Military experts suggest that the depth of Pickaxe's main chamber lies beyond the reach of America’s most powerful conventional bunker-busting weapon. Trump's warning comes after a Wall Street Journal Report that Israeli intelligence believed that Iran moved thousands of centrifuges to Pickaxe in the fall of 2025. According to the Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security, the satellite images could not confirm the operational status of the facility; however, there are indications of construction activity going on.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">President Trump says he doesn&#39;t need PM Netanyahu to tell him about Iranian activity at Pickaxe Mountain because the U.S. &#39;knows exactly what&#39;s going on.&#39; He says the U.S. will &#39;takeout&#39; Pickaxe if Iran doesn&#39;t make a deal.<a href="https://t.co/S4qSNDuT7X">pic.twitter.com/S4qSNDuT7X</a>&mdash; Faytuks Network (@FaytuksNetwork) <a href="https://x.com/FaytuksNetwork/status/2082085682357408179?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Donald Trump warned the US could strike Iran's Pickaxe Mountain nuclear facility if talks fail, saying Washington would "finish the job" to stop Tehran's nuclear programme.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that there had been very good talks with Iran, but threatened to target the Pickaxe mountain, bridges and power plant to “finish the job” if a deal is not reached. "We can be in the midst of a beautiful discussion, and they'll come out and say … 'we didn't discuss nuclear,'" Trump told Fox News. "Well that's all we discuss, because they'll never have a nuclear weapon. They understand that. And we have had some very good talks." He also dismissed reports of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offering to share intelligence on Iran's reconstruction of its nuclear programme. “I don’t need Bibi to tell me that. Bibi is telling me that because he wants me to stay involved,” said Trump. Trump once again mentioned the Pickaxe Mountain, suggesting that the US is surveilling it with "the greatest cameras in the world" and that "it was not a big problem." "We took out their nuclear sites, and we'll have to take out Pickaxe if we don't make a deal. If we don't make a deal, we'll take it out very easily," said Trump. Trump once again claimed that the US has destroyed almost all of Iran's capabilities and he will go back to “finish the job”, which will take them "forever to rebuild." He further added that he wanted to avoid such attacks and that the Iranian people have to live. "It's a very, ‌very delicate balance," Mr Trump told Fox. "So, I think we have a very strong position right now. They know I'm going to do ⁠that if they don't make a deal." Also Read: Iran publicly executes two protesters in Isfahan over January unrest Why does Trump want to target Pickaxe Mountain? Trump is once again threatening to strike the Pickaxe Mountain nuclear facility, the site that the US left untouched till now. Situated beneath at least 100 meters of rock near Iran's damaged Natanz nuclear enrichment complex. It was supposedly designed to replace an above-ground complex, which was capable of assembling roughly 6000 advanced centrifuges, before being destroyed in 2020. Analysts suggest that it could hold a centrifuge assembly line, an enrichment plant or equipment used in nuclear weaponisation activities. Military experts suggest that the depth of Pickaxe's main chamber lies beyond the reach of America’s most powerful conventional bunker-busting weapon. Trump's warning comes after a Wall Street Journal Report that Israeli intelligence believed that Iran moved thousands of centrifuges to Pickaxe in the fall of 2025. According to the Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security, the satellite images could not confirm the operational status of the facility; however, there are indications of construction activity going on.

Donald Trump warned the US could strike Iran's Pickaxe Mountain nuclear facility if talks fail, saying Washington would "finish the job" to stop Tehran's nuclear programme.

Trump again threatens to strike Iran's Pickaxe Mountain if talks fail

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to present US President Donald Trump with intelligence alleging that Iran is expanding nuclear activity at its secretive Pickaxe Mountain facility and is not negotiating in good faith over its nuclear programme.&nbsp;According to a report by the New York Post, citing a source in Jerusalem, Netanyahu’s team will share evidence during their meeting in Washington on Monday, where the conflict with Iran and Tehran’s nuclear ambitions are expected to dominate discussions.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/islamic-republic-will-never-make-a-deal-with-the-us-iran-deputy-speaker-echoes-araghchi-s-remark-1785197204970">'Islamic Republic will never make a deal with the US': Iran deputy speaker echoes Araghchi’s remark</a>&nbsp;According to the source, Israel will present intelligence indicating that nuclear centrifuges have recently been moved to the underground Pickaxe Mountain complex, marking the first known transfer of such equipment to the site since construction reportedly began in 2020.&nbsp;The Wall Street Journal, cited by the New York Post, reported that Israeli intelligence had uncovered evidence suggesting the arrival of the centrifuges at the facility. The base is located more than 300 feet beneath Kolang Mountain, close to Iran’s Natanz nuclear site, and has long been suspected of playing a role in Tehran’s nuclear programme.&nbsp;The report noted that there had previously been no confirmed evidence of nuclear activity at the site. Trump had earlier cited the absence of such intelligence as a reason for not targeting the facility during previous military operations against Iran.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nobody-tells-me-what-to-sell-trump-rejects-netanyahu-s-objections-to-turkey-f-35-deal-1785185128871">'Nobody tells me what to sell': Trump rejects Netanyahu's objections to Turkey F-35 deal</a>&nbsp;Last week, Trump also sought to dismiss reports of activity at Pickaxe Mountain, telling reporters that the United States had no information indicating developments at the site. However, according to the New York Post, Trump has recently signalled a willingness to authorise military action against the underground complex. The report also claimed that US forces have prepared contingency plans for a possible ground operation aimed at securing hundreds of pounds of enriched uranium believed to be stored inside the mountain.&nbsp;The Jerusalem source further told the newspaper that Israel intends to present additional intelligence alleging Iran has already begun rebuilding its missile and drone programmes, despite extensive damage inflicted by recent US airstrikes.&nbsp;Iran has not publicly responded to the latest claims reported by the New York Post and the Wall Street Journal. The allegations have not been independently verified.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu will present US President Trump with intelligence revealing Iran moved nuclear centrifuges to its underground Pickaxe Mountain facility, amid escalating military tensions and potential action.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to present US President Donald Trump with intelligence alleging that Iran is expanding nuclear activity at its secretive Pickaxe Mountain facility and is not negotiating in good faith over its nuclear programme. According to a report by the New York Post, citing a source in Jerusalem, Netanyahu’s team will share evidence during their meeting in Washington on Monday, where the conflict with Iran and Tehran’s nuclear ambitions are expected to dominate discussions. Also read: 'Islamic Republic will never make a deal with the US': Iran deputy speaker echoes Araghchi’s remark According to the source, Israel will present intelligence indicating that nuclear centrifuges have recently been moved to the underground Pickaxe Mountain complex, marking the first known transfer of such equipment to the site since construction reportedly began in 2020. The Wall Street Journal, cited by the New York Post, reported that Israeli intelligence had uncovered evidence suggesting the arrival of the centrifuges at the facility. The base is located more than 300 feet beneath Kolang Mountain, close to Iran’s Natanz nuclear site, and has long been suspected of playing a role in Tehran’s nuclear programme. The report noted that there had previously been no confirmed evidence of nuclear activity at the site. Trump had earlier cited the absence of such intelligence as a reason for not targeting the facility during previous military operations against Iran. Also read: 'Nobody tells me what to sell': Trump rejects Netanyahu's objections to Turkey F-35 deal Last week, Trump also sought to dismiss reports of activity at Pickaxe Mountain, telling reporters that the United States had no information indicating developments at the site. However, according to the New York Post, Trump has recently signalled a willingness to authorise military action against the underground complex. The report also claimed that US forces have prepared contingency plans for a possible ground operation aimed at securing hundreds of pounds of enriched uranium believed to be stored inside the mountain. The Jerusalem source further told the newspaper that Israel intends to present additional intelligence alleging Iran has already begun rebuilding its missile and drone programmes, despite extensive damage inflicted by recent US airstrikes. Iran has not publicly responded to the latest claims reported by the New York Post and the Wall Street Journal. The allegations have not been independently verified.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu will present US President Trump with intelligence revealing Iran moved nuclear centrifuges to its underground Pickaxe Mountain facility, amid escalating military tensions and potential action.

Netanyahu to present Trump with fresh intel on Iran's SECRET 'Pickaxe Mountain' nuclear site: Report