Pentagon explores options for Iran’s deepest nuclear sites: Report

The Pentagon is investigating potential military options to destroy Iran's deepest underground nuclear facilities, following satellite imagery indicating increased construction activity at a suspected facility near Pickaxe Mountain. This mountain, situated near the Natanz nuclear complex, is believed to be designed to protect nuclear activities from conventional airstrikes due to its deep underground location.

While the US maintains operational plans for an attack on the mountain, it is uncertain whether existing weapons can penetrate sufficiently to destroy any nuclear-related assets within. The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) noted that construction at Pickaxe Mountain has surged since 2026, transitioning from excavation to internal construction and reinforcement.

The site's proximity to Natanz, one of Iran's key nuclear locations, raises concerns that it could serve as a shelter for future nuclear activities. However, CSIS emphasized that the ongoing construction does not yet indicate the site's capability for enrichment operations. The Pentagon is developing concepts for specialized earth-penetrating munitions and next-generation penetrators to address the military challenge posed by Iran's deeply buried tunnel complexes.

The lack of international oversight of Iran's nuclear program, compounded by the absence of full inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), adds to the uncertainty surrounding Iran's nuclear-related activities and their potential relocation to underground facilities.