US Targets Iran’s Deep Underground ‘Hook Mountain’ Nuclear Site Near Natanz
Deep beneath a rocky mountain south of Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility, a vast and heavily fortified underground complex known as "Hook Mountain" (Kuh-e Kolang Gazla) is under construction. Since 2020, Iran has been excavating extensive tunnels and building reinforced entrances protected by layers of earth and concrete. Despite satellite imagery revealing ongoing construction, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors have not been granted access, leaving the exact purpose of the site unclear.
The US, led by former President Donald Trump, has publicly threatened to destroy the site, calling it a key target in the confrontation with Tehran. Trump stated in a recent interview that the US is closely monitoring the site and may strike it "relatively soon," although he acknowledged no current signs of nuclear activity. The site is believed to be designed to replace a Natanz above-ground centrifuge assembly hall destroyed in 2020, which Iran blamed on sabotage attributed to Israel.
Western experts remain divided on whether the complex is solely a centrifuge assembly plant or a fortified "nuclear bunker" capable of housing uranium enrichment activities. The facility is much deeper and larger than Iran’s known underground sites at Natanz and Fordow, with some chambers estimated to be 100 to 145 meters below the surface, making it highly resistant to conventional bunker-busting bombs.
Iran officially claims the site is for manufacturing and assembling advanced centrifuges but denies uranium enrichment there. However, the lack of IAEA access and the scale of the project raise suspicions that it could also serve as a strategic reserve for uranium enrichment or storage, or as a "nuclear ark" to preserve Iran’s nuclear program in case other sites are destroyed.
The IAEA director Rafael Grossi has requested explanations from Iran but received insufficient answers. Satellite imagery shows construction of reinforced entrances, heavy machinery, and possible ventilation shafts, but no definitive signs of operational nuclear activities. Analysts note that while the site is not yet operational, it could become a critical asset for Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The US threat aims to pressure Iran to halt construction and allow inspections before the site becomes fully functional.
In summary, "Hook Mountain" remains a mystery, symbolizing the ongoing struggle between Iran’s efforts to protect its nuclear infrastructure and international attempts to monitor and limit its nuclear capabilities. Its depth, fortification, and secrecy make it one of the most sensitive and intriguing locations in the global nuclear arena.
