Iran Ramps Up Secret Underground Nuclear Facility Construction Near Mount Pikax

Iran has significantly accelerated construction activities at a secretive underground nuclear facility located near Mount Pikax, according to recent analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Satellite imagery spanning six years, including radar, optical, and high-resolution photos, indicates a notable surge in transport and construction equipment since January 2026, surpassing all previous activity levels since the site's inception. This facility, initiated in 2020, is situated two kilometers from the Natanz nuclear complex and is designed as a deep tunnel system beneath a granite massif, widely considered one of Iran's most secure nuclear infrastructure elements.

While construction slowed in April 2024, the recent intensification involves simultaneous work across major access roads and sections of the complex. Current efforts, as observed by CSIS, include reinforcing tunnel entrances, concreting internal roads, fortifying access zones, and clearing spoil heaps. These activities suggest a transition from extensive excavation to internal construction and further site hardening.

The precise purpose of the facility remains undisclosed. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has sought information but received no response. In July, Israeli intelligence suggested the potential transfer of thousands of centrifuges, nuclear components, and a portion of Iran's 440-kilogram stockpile of highly enriched uranium to the underground site. Following these reports, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a warning of a "very powerful strike" against any facility where Iran contemplates developing nuclear weapons. Iran condemned Trump's statement, labeling the intense scrutiny of the secret facility as "hostility towards progress" but did not clarify its function.