U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to launch a military strike against an Iranian site believed to be linked to the country’s nuclear program, located beneath Kolang Gaz La Mountain, also known as “Axe Mountain,” near the Natanz uranium enrichment facility.
Responding to questions from reporters at the White House, Trump said: “We could hit Axe Mountain very soon,” marking his latest threat to target facilities associated with Iran’s nuclear program.
The mountain is located south of the Natanz facility, approximately 225 kilometers south of Tehran, and is believed to contain one of Iran’s most heavily fortified underground sites.
According to assessments by experts, the facility is located approximately 80 to 100 meters underground, beneath granite rock, and is protected by a network of tunnels and fortified entrances, making it extremely difficult to target militarily.
A Highly Fortified Underground Site
Construction of the facility reportedly began in 2020, following a series of acts of sabotage targeting the Natanz nuclear facility, which were attributed to Israel.
Although the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has not been able to access the site, assessments and analyses suggest that Iran may be using it for activities related to uranium enrichment or the production of centrifuges.
The facility presents a major challenge for any potential military operation because of its depth and extensive fortifications. Even U.S. weapons specifically designed to penetrate heavily fortified underground facilities, including the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, could face difficulties reaching a facility buried deep beneath the mountain.
Trump’s threat comes amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran. The public discussion of a possible strike could serve several purposes, including increasing pressure on Iran’s leadership and potentially playing a role in U.S. political calculations ahead of the upcoming congressional midterm elections.
