Trump Threatens Airstrike on Deeply Fortified Iranian Nuclear Site at Mount Makuh

US President Donald Trump has threatened to bomb the Mount Makuh nuclear facility in Iran, a site that has remained untouched during two previous conflicts with the Islamic Republic. Located near the Natanz nuclear complex in the Zagros Mountains, the underground facility has been under construction for six years and is believed by experts to be heavily fortified and potentially resistant to the most powerful bunker-busting bombs. Trump made the threat during an interview with conservative broadcaster Hugh Hewitt, emphasizing that the US is closely monitoring the site via satellite and that no nuclear activity has been detected there so far.

Mount Makuh, also known as Pickaxe Mountain, lies about 1.5 kilometers south of Natanz and features deep tunnel complexes possibly extending 80 to 100 meters underground, deeper than the penetration capability of the US GBU-57 bunker buster bombs. The facility's construction began in 2020 after the US withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal, and it is suspected to be a protected site for advanced uranium enrichment to weapons-grade levels. Iran has denied nuclear activity at the site and has not allowed International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors access, fueling suspicions about its true purpose.

Satellite imagery analyzed by the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) shows ongoing activity at Mount Makuh, including vehicle movements and tunnel entrance reinforcements. The US and Israel have not attacked the site previously, possibly due to its depth and strategic importance. Iranian officials have warned of a "destructive" response if the US carries out an attack, threatening American troops and regional allies.

Trump indicated that the strike on Mount Makuh could happen "relatively soon," calling it a "big, beautiful hit" right at Iran's doorstep. Experts suggest that destroying the facility might require a risky ground operation or unconventional methods, as conventional bunker-busters may not suffice. Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, noted that chemical agents might be necessary to render the site inaccessible for a century. The situation escalates amid renewed tensions over Iran's nuclear program and the accumulation of highly enriched uranium, which Iran reportedly stores across several sites including Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan.