Iran's Nuclear Activity at Pickaxe Mountain Increases, Trump Issues Stern Warning
The UN nuclear watchdog (IAEA) has reported ongoing nuclear activity at Pickaxe Mountain, Iran. This report emerges just one day after the latest satellite imagery showed a significant surge in construction activity at the highly fortified location.
Analysis of satellite imagery at the site, which is believed to house two deep underground tunnel complexes, as well as the nearby damaged Natanz uranium enrichment facility, shows active excavation. This development threatens to trigger further escalation between the United States and Iran, following recent warnings from Donald Trump regarding potential bombing of the nuclear site.
Researchers from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) utilised synthetic aperture radar (SAR) change detection over six years, combined with Sentinel-2 optical change detection, Airbus very high-resolution (VHR) imagery dated 9 July 2026, and Satellogic imagery from 9 August 2026.
The monitoring results reveal that road activity at Pickaxe Mountain in 2026 is higher than at any other point in the site’s history. Researchers noted indications of elevation and hardening of portal access, paving of the internal road network, and reinforcement around the access areas.
Donald Trump, in his speech at the Republican National Convention on Wednesday (9/9/2026), asserted that the US would strike Iran very hard if it is proven that they continue to work on the nuclear site. Trump is known to have issued threats of attacks against Pickaxe Mountain since at least mid-July.
“We have noticed some activity at Pickaxe. I suggest Iran does not play around because we must hit them very hard,” Trump stated before convention attendees.
Donald Trump predicts that the war with Iran will end after the US mid-term elections. A total blockade of ports by the US Navy is seen as the key to economic pressure on the Tehran regime.
US Navy officials have acknowledged that a base in Bahrain was severely damaged due to Iranian attacks. Missile strikes also hit an airbase in Jordan.
Iran has increased confrontational actions in the Strait of Hormuz and against US bases to exert political pressure on Donald Trump ahead of the upcoming November mid-term elections.
Brent crude oil prices have surged to US$105 due to the Middle East conflict, triggering a rise in US bond yields and a fall in global stock markets.
HSBC projects that the global oil market will remain imbalanced until 2027 due to the Middle East conflict. Brent prices have the potential to exceed US$120 per barrel.
President Donald Trump and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu met amidst sharp differences regarding war strategies against Iran and election pressures in both countries.
Donald Trump has threatened to bomb Pickaxe Mountain in Iran. This area is suspected to be a very deep underground nuclear site that is difficult for US bombs to penetrate.
Iran has warned the US that attacks on nuclear facilities would be considered an expansion of the war, with all US and allied assets threatened as potential targets.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth responded to questions regarding the US military’s capability to attack Iran’s underground nuclear site, Pickaxe Mountain, as tensions continue to escalate following Trump’s threats.