Recent satellite images reveal that Iran has enhanced its defenses around the entrances to a nuclear-related site known as Pickaxe Mountain, which has been under repeated threat from President Donald Trump. This development comes in the wake of Russia and China vetoing a U.S.-proposed resolution at the Security Council that aimed to continue international monitoring of sanctions against Iran.
According to a report by the Institute for Science and International Security, imagery from September 11 shows that earthen roadblocks are still present along routes leading to the western tunnel entrances of Pickaxe Mountain, located near the Natanz nuclear facility. The continued presence of these blockades suggests that the site isn’t currently engaged in regular operations, though it is believed important equipment or materials may still be on-site.
The report further indicates that additional soil has been placed over one of the western tunnel entrances and a nearby cluster of access points created in 2007. This extra layer of earth not only fortifies the entrances against potential airstrikes but also increases the complexity of gaining access to them.
This news follows Trump’s recent statement expressing caution about activities at Pickaxe Mountain. “We notice there’s a little activity at Pickaxe,” he remarked to reporters last week, warning Iran against making any miscalculations, implying a strong military response could be necessary.
Trump has frequently discussed the possibility of a military strike on this location, reiterating during a July interview that the U.S. is closely monitoring the site and is prepared to take action if necessary.
Pickaxe Mountain is situated about two kilometers from the Natanz site and houses multiple tunnel entrances leading into a fortified underground facility. Initial construction reportedly started in 2020, following an incident that damaged a centrifuge facility at Natanz, with plans for a replacement facility aimed at enhancing centrifuge production capabilities. Analysts believe parts of this underground complex could be buried at depths exceeding 100 meters. Iran, however, has maintained that no nuclear activities are occurring at this site.
Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, shared insights suggesting that the opportunity for a direct military strike on Pickaxe Mountain may have already passed. He pointed out that the regime has extended its underground capabilities significantly beyond those at the Fordow facility. Nonetheless, he contended that the U.S. retains various military options even if the complete destruction of the underground complex proves challenging.
“The U.S. can still engage in strategies that typically address deeply buried and fortified locations, like collapsing their entrances and increasing the political repercussions for Iran if they attempt to excavate,” Ben Taleblu noted.
Moreover, there were concurrent findings indicating construction at another sensitive military facility in Iran, known as Taleghan 2 at the Parchin complex. A separate report indicated that Iran is making swift progress on rebuilding this facility, with satellite imagery showing activities such as the erection of tarps to conceal work from aerial observation, alongside construction equipment active at the site.
Additionally, the new concrete reinforcements being added at Taleghan 2 could provide enhanced protection against aerial attacks. This facility had previously been targeted by Israeli airstrikes in October 2024 and March 2026, after it had been rebuilt and fortified. There remain significant uncertainties regarding Tehran’s future plans for this location.
The military developments unfold amid a separate conflict regarding Iran at the United Nations. On Thursday, Russia and China exercised their veto powers against a U.S. resolution that aimed to extend the mandate of a committee responsible for monitoring sanctions on Iran, which had been initially established by the 1737 committee. While the resolution had gathered eleven votes in favor, Pakistan and Somalia opted to abstain.
This committee’s role is to investigate potential violations of sanctions and report on compliance. The ongoing argument reflects broader uncertainties about the legalities surrounding sanctions imposed under the 2015 nuclear agreement, particularly concerning the “snapback” mechanism. Most members of the Council believe these sanctions have been reinstated, whereas Russia and China dispute the legal groundwork of this assertion.
The day prior to the vote, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz confirmed that Washington considers the sanctions to have been effectively reinstated, affirming the legitimacy of the processes that were followed. He emphasized the importance of the expert panel due to the complexities involving sanctioned entities seeking to circumvent restrictions.
Furthermore, fresh scrutiny from the U.N. also focused on the actions of both the U.S. and Iran. An independent mission concluded that there were reasonable grounds to assert that two U.S. strikes on civilian sites in Iran in February might constitute war crimes. On the other hand, the mission indicated that Iranian authorities likely committed crimes against humanity during their subduing of anti-government demonstrations. However, it’s crucial to note the mission’s function is investigative and does not render criminal judgments.
Efforts to reach the Iranian U.N. mission for comments were not successful before publication.
