Iran Fortifies Underground Nuclear Site Near Natanz Amid US Threats
New satellite imagery reveals Iran is intensifying defensive measures around an underground nuclear facility near Natanz, a site recently identified by President Donald Trump as a potential target. The images, dated September 11, show Iran reinforcing earth berms and deepening protective layers over the entrances to the "Pickaxe" complex, located approximately two kilometers from Natanz. Experts from the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) suggest these extensive earthworks are designed to harden the facility against aerial bombardment, particularly from bunker-busting munitions.
The heightened fortification efforts come just a week after President Trump warned Iran against "messing around," stating that any provocation would result in severe consequences. Trump had previously indicated in late July that the U.S. was monitoring the site and could "take out Pickaxe" if diplomatic avenues failed. The "Pickaxe" complex, reportedly built at least 100 meters underground following a 2020 sabotage incident at the centrifuge assembly facility, presents a significant operational challenge for any potential strike.
While the increased security measures suggest the site may not be in routine use, analysts believe it could be storing sensitive and valuable materials. The ISIS report also identified significant defensive and camouflage activities at the Taleghan 2 facility within the Parchin military complex. Satellite images from September 13 show a large tarp covering a structure, with bulldozers, concrete mixers, and cranes actively engaged in reinforcing the site. This facility has reportedly been targeted in past Israeli strikes in October 2024 and March 2026, indicating ongoing efforts by Tehran to repair and protect it.
Iran's strategy of relocating sensitive infrastructure deep underground is aimed at creating resilience against advanced weaponry and maintaining technological development even under sustained military pressure. The "Pickaxe" complex is considered one of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps' most ambitious protection projects in the last decade.
