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President Trump Warns Iran to Avoid 'Getting Cute' as Construction Surges at Pickaxe Mountain Nuclear Site

President Trump has warned Iran not to "get cute" regarding activity at Pickaxe Mountain, a suspected underground nuclear facility. The site, located near the Natanz complex, is considered one of the last remaining vestiges of Iran's nuclear program. Recent satellite imagery analysis from the Center for Strategic and International Studies shows a clear surge in construction activity at the mountain in 2026, featuring more road activity than at any point in its history. The analysis indicates that work has shifted from active excavation toward internal construction and exterior reinforcement, including hardening portal accesses and paving internal roads. While the construction suggests the site is not yet capable of enrichment work, it remains a likely safe haven for Iran's nuclear program. To prepare for a future strike, the administration announced a sole-source contract to Pate Construction Co., Inc. for specialized work at the Alternate Seismic Hardrock in Situ Test site in New Mexico. This facility, also carved into granite, was used to support classified live-fire tests designed to validate capabilities against deeply buried targets. The military is also developing a next-generation penetrator bomb to succeed the current Massive Ordnance Penetrator to reach even deeper underground facilities.

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