Iran's nuclear site activity under Trump scrutiny
New satellite imagery analyzed by the Institute for Science and International Security shows Iran has added further defenses at Pickaxe Mountain, a deeply buried nuclear-linked site near the Natanz complex that President Trump has repeatedly threatened to strike. Imagery from September 11 shows earthen roadblocks still in place on roads to the site's western tunnel entrances, plus additional soil piled over one portal and an older cluster of entrances, reinforcing analysts' assessment that valuable equipment or material remains inside and that Iran is hardening the entrances against potential airstrikes. Trump said last week he'd noticed 'a little activity at Pickaxe' and warned Iran 'not to get cute because we will have to hit them very hard.' Construction at the site began in 2020 after sabotage damaged a centrifuge facility at Natanz; some analysts believe the window for a straightforward strike may have already passed given how deep the tunnels reportedly go, though a Foundation for Defense of Democracies analyst said the US retains options to bury the entrances and raise the political cost of rebuilding even without striking the complex itself.
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18 September 2026
- Fresh activity spotted at Iran nuclear site Fox News
- Iran vows to defend itself after Trump warns Tehran not to ‘get cute’ over nuclear site activity Fox News
- Iran sends chilling message as Trump threatens new strike on buried nuclear site Fox News