Iran has been fortifying an underground complex near one of its nuclear facilities, according to analysis of new satellite images. This activity comes at a time of heightened tensions as talks between Iranian and US officials continue, with President Donald Trump threatening fresh military action against Iran if it does not agree to a new deal regarding its nuclear program.
The photos, first analyzed by the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS), a US-based think tank, show tunnel entrances being strengthened at Mount Kolang Gaz La - also known as Pickaxe Mountain. Experts suggest this facility may be designed to protect Iran's uranium enrichment activities or key equipment, but its exact purpose—and whether it is operational—remains unclear.
Iran insists its nuclear program is entirely peaceful and denies it is seeking the development of nuclear weapons. However, Trump has stated that Iran was as little as a month away from achieving nuclear weapons capability in June 2025, coinciding with military strikes on underground nuclear sites linked to uranium enrichment during a brief conflict between Israel and Iran last year.
Despite the strikes allegedly having 'obliterated' Iran's enrichment capacities, US officials suggest Iranian efforts to continue the program could be underway. Satellite images reveal changes at various critical nuclear facilities, indicating potential upgrades or operational shifts. The renewed construction efforts, especially that at the Isfahan nuclear site, have led to concerns that Iran may be taking steps to bolster its defenses against further military action.
In this complex geopolitical climate, experts and officials emphasize the pressing need for renewed diplomatic negotiations, highlighting a potential window of opportunity for a new nuclear deal. The International Atomic Energy Agency’s director has indicated a serious need for such an agreement to prevent further escalation.
