Report: Iran Moved Thousands of Nuclear Centrifuges Into Deep Mountain Tunnels

Israeli intelligence has assessed that Iran moved thousands of uranium-enrichment centrifuges into tunnels deep beneath Pickaxe Mountain, according to a Wall Street Journal report cited by South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency.

Israel reportedly shared its findings with the United States. President Donald Trump has also been briefed on the intelligence and recently identified the underground complex as a possible military target.

Trump described the mountain as a potential target for “one big, powerful hit.”

A Fortified Underground Nuclear Complex

Pickaxe Mountain, known in Iran as Kolang Mountain, is located near several of the Islamic Republic’s major nuclear facilities. American and Israeli officials have monitored the site for years amid concerns that Tehran could use its tunnels to store nuclear equipment, manufacture centrifuges, or establish a covert enrichment facility.

Israeli intelligence reportedly believes the centrifuges were transferred several months after Iranian nuclear sites were heavily damaged during last year’s conflict.

Experts estimate that parts of the underground complex sit beneath approximately 90 to 140 meters of solid rock. The tunnels are believed to have enough space to accommodate several nuclear-related operations.

Continuing Activity at the Site

The Institute for Science and International Security has documented continuing activity around Pickaxe Mountain during the past 15 months, including truck movements, tunnel reinforcement and the establishment of new security zones.

Additional work has reportedly taken place near an older tunnel network first constructed in 2007 and later sealed by Iran.

Institute President David Albright said it was entirely possible that Iran had moved centrifuges into the mountain’s tunnels.

Iran Blocks International Inspections

Iran has refused to allow the International Atomic Energy Agency to inspect the facility, making it impossible to verify what equipment or nuclear activities may be inside.

Nate Swanson, a former Iran director on the White House National Security Council, warned that Iran’s history of secret nuclear work makes activity at a fortified and inaccessible site a serious concern.

Iran insists that it has never pursued nuclear weapons. However, it has reportedly produced approximately 450 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent, a level close to weapons-grade enrichment.

The presence of centrifuges would not by itself prove that Iran is operating an enrichment plant at the site. The equipment may have been moved underground for protection after other facilities were damaged. The centrifuges’ original location also remains unclear.

Even so, Iran’s refusal to grant inspectors access raises urgent questions. The United States and Israel cannot allow the Iranian regime to hide sensitive nuclear equipment beyond international oversight while advancing toward a potential weapons capability.