President Donald Trump announced this week that the United States is prepared to strike the suspected Iranian nuclear complex known as Pickaxe Mountain, a granite‑encased site near the Natanz facility. Trump told reporters, “We may hit Pickaxe very soon, and we know everybody that’s moving there,” underscoring the administration’s resolve to prevent Iran from hiding its nuclear program underground.
Construction surge raises alarm
Analysts at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) examined six years of satellite imagery and found a clear surge in construction activity at Pickaxe Mountain in 2026. The team reported more road work, tunnel‑portal reinforcement, and internal road paving than ever before, suggesting the site is being readied for advanced nuclear work.
CSIS analysts said the underground facility is “likely” intended as a safe haven for Iran’s nuclear program, possibly housing centrifuge assembly, enrichment, or uranium‑metal conversion. While the construction appears to have shifted from excavation to internal reinforcement, the analysts cautioned the site is not yet ready for enrichment, indicating the work is still in progress.
U.S. response: testing and new weapons
In parallel with the construction surge, the Pentagon has been quietly preparing to counter deep‑buried targets. A Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) program manager signed an emergency $1.2 million contract in February to repair a “unique subterranean test facility” at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. The contract, awarded to Pate Construction, called for rapid test preparation within two to three weeks under a time‑sensitive national‑security directive.
Satellite images show excavation at the Alternate Seismic Hardrock in Situ Test Site between February 16‑18, with work continuing into mid‑March before pausing. The site, like Pickaxe Mountain, is carved into granite, providing a realistic test environment for the next‑generation penetrator bomb the Air Force is developing to succeed the Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP).
Trump’s firm stance on Iran
President Trump has repeatedly warned Iran that any attempt to shield its nuclear program underground will not go unanswered. His administration’s public messaging emphasizes that the United States retains the capability—and the will—to strike even the most deeply buried facilities.
“We have the biggest, most powerful bombs that can get down there,” Trump said, reinforcing confidence in the nation’s strategic arsenal. The administration’s approach aligns with the broader policy of maintaining a strong deterrent against Iran’s nuclear ambitions, a priority shared by many faith‑based and family‑focused Americans who value national security and global stability.
What this means for America
The development of a next‑generation penetrator reflects a commitment to protecting American lives and interests abroad. By investing in advanced weapons testing and maintaining a clear, public stance, the Trump administration demonstrates its dedication to safeguarding the Constitution‑protected right of citizens to live in a safe, secure nation.
While the full capabilities of the new bomb remain classified, the ongoing work at White Sands and the administration’s willingness to act send a strong signal to Iran and to the world: the United States will not allow a hidden nuclear threat to go unchecked.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
