Israel Warns UAE President of Iran's Accelerated Nuclear Program and Imminent Attack

Israel has shared intelligence with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) President, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, revealing Iran's dramatic acceleration of construction at its underground "Pickaxe Mountain" nuclear facility, located south of Natanz. Satellite imagery analyzed by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) indicates a shift from excavation to internal construction and fortification of tunnels, aimed at creating a facility resistant to bunker-busting bombs.

This fortified site, carved deep into hard granite, is seen by Israeli and US intelligence as a significant effort by Tehran to safeguard its nuclear capabilities. Experts suggest the facility could be used for assembling advanced centrifuges, storing critical components, or potentially housing an underground enrichment hall beyond the reach of heavy US munitions. While an active enrichment facility is not yet confirmed, the accelerated construction signals an intent to move sensitive nuclear activities underground.

In addition to the nuclear concerns, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also presented urgent intelligence indicating that Iran may launch a regional military attack within the coming weeks. This warning comes amid increased activity by pro-Iranian militias, ongoing threats from Yemen's Houthis, and heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab.

The decision to share this specific intelligence with the UAE president and a Saudi official underscores Israel's view that Iran is actively creating hardened underground infrastructure to make its nuclear program more resilient to future attacks. The "Pickaxe Mountain" issue has become a critical and urgent focus in security discussions between Israel and its regional allies.