Illustration of Iran's Natanz uranium enrichment plant and Pickaxe Mountain, highlighting its depth and security compared to sites damaged by US bombs.
Share this @internewscast.com

While TRUMP purportedly “obliterated” Iran’s infamous Fordow facility, concerns linger that the nuclear program persists within another clandestine mountain stronghold.

Iranian officials have claimed the key enriched uranium was carted out of Fordow before the bombs fell – and Pickaxe Mountain could be its new home.

Illustration of Iran's Natanz uranium enrichment plant and Pickaxe Mountain, highlighting its depth and security compared to sites damaged by US bombs.
Satellite image of trucks near the Fordow fuel enrichment facility in Iran.
Satellite pics show lorries lining up outside Fordow in the days before the US strikesCredit: Reuters
Firefighters examining an Iranian rocket that landed in Israel.
One of the last missiles fired by Iran into Israel lodged in the groundCredit: Twitter
Two F-15E Strike Eagles and a B-2 Spirit bomber flying in formation over the Pacific Ocean.
A B-2 Spirit bomber escorted by two F 15E Strike EaglesCredit: Alamy

Pickaxe is a summit within the mountainous region encircling Natanz, which is another one of Iran’s nuclear sites targeted by the US and Israel, located about 90 miles south of Fordow.

The site is still under construction, but has been secretly expanded and reinforced over the past four years.

The peak is over 5,000ft high – taller than any mountain in the UK – and the site is thought to be buried 328ft down.

The chief of the UN’s nuclear watchdog remarked last year: “It is evident that significant and numerous activities connected to the program are occurring in this location.”

When asked what was going on beneath Pickaxe, Iran responded: “It’s none of your business.”

Satellite images show tunnels feeding into the mountain and leading to a deep-buried operation.

Experts say it could be more secure than any of the facilities struck by the US and Israel.

America’s bunker-buster bombs were the only weapons capable of reaching Fordow – but even those might prove ineffective against Pickaxe.

In the days before Trump’s stealth bombing raid over the weekend, a train of lorries was pictured lining up outside Fordow.

And in the aftermath, Iran has claimed that it moved the key nuclear material.

White House fuming over top secret leak on Iran nuke site bombing as Don attends key summit

It’s believed there was 400kg of uranium enriched to 60 percent at the plant which, if still intact, could sustain Iran’s ambitions to build nuclear weapons.

Sima Shine, with decades of experience in the military establishment, said Tehran had “hundreds if not thousands” of advanced centrifuges capable of producing weapons-grade uranium.

And Pickaxe could be the perfect new hiding spot.

Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said it cannot be ruled out that there is further, undeclared material hidden beneath the towers of rock.

Donald Trump speaking to the media outside the White House.
Trump claimed Iran’s nuclear programme had been ‘obliterated’Credit: EPA
B-2 Spirit bomber refueling in flight.
A B-2 bomber refuelling mid-airCredit: AFP
Satellite image of holes and craters at the Fordo underground uranium enrichment facility in Iran.
Craters on a ridge at the Fordow plant after US strikesCredit: EPA

Grossi renewed his demands that Iran let inspectors in to “account for” the stockpiles of uranium.

Trump claimed that other Iranian sites had been “obliterated” by the US airstrikes over the weekend.

An Iranian official insisted that “contrary to the claims of the lying US president, the Fordow nuclear facility has not been seriously damaged, and most of what was damaged was only on the ground, which can be restored”.

And the extent of the damage is debated after an intelligence report was leaked on Tuesday night.

Illustration of timeline showing events leading to Operation Midnight Hammer.

The assessment claims that Iran’s nuclear programme was set back by just a few months by the US bombs.

Sources told CBS that the stash of uranium had not been eliminated.

The White House was furious and slammed the “flat-out wrong” assessment leaked by “a low-level loser in the intelligence community”.

America deployed its heaviest weapons against Fordow – 14-ton GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators.

The monster explosives burrow 60 metres into the ground before detonating.

Inside covert US raid on Iran’s nuclear sites

By Patrick Harrington

DECOY and deception were at the heart of Donald Trump’s tactical Operation Midnight Hammer strikes against Iran’s nuclear sites.

Through meticulous planning and artful bluff, the B-2 stealth bomber squadron glided in and out of Iran without ever being detected or fired upon by a single Iranian missile.

The US began spinning a web of deception at the start of the conflict which culminated in the “obliteration” of three of Iran’s nuclear plants, including the mountain fortress Fordow.

The President maintained the smoke-and-mirrors act, telling reporters at a flagpole opening ceremony: “I may do it, I may not do it. Nobody knows what I’m gonna do.”

Then a day later, Trump played a masterstroke which saw the White House put out a “two-week” deadline for the US to make a decision about attacking Fordow.

A decoy fleet of B-2s flew west over over the Pacific and towards Guam to throw Iranian intelligence off the scent.

Read more about the operation here.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Murdaugh lead attorney says jury fix and hidden texts could blow up conviction, force new trial

Murdaugh’s Lead Lawyer Suggests Potential Jury Tampering and Concealed Messages Might Overturn Conviction and Trigger a New Trial

The defense attorney for convicted killer Alex Murdaugh believes that newly found…
Suspect arrested in connection to Ensley homicide

Arrest Made in Ensley Murder Investigation

The Birmingham Police Department has apprehended a suspect linked to a deadly…
Street view of South John Street, St Helens, following a house fire.

Tragic House Fire Claims Lives of Elderly Couple, Police Investigate Possible Arson-Murder

COPS have launched an urgent murder probe after an elderly couple were…
Closing arguments could begin Friday in trial of Steven Monsanto, accused of murdering Chicago Police Officer Vásquez Lasso

Closing Arguments May Start Friday in Steven Monsanto’s Trial for the Murder of Chicago Officer Vásquez Lasso

CHICAGO (WLS) — Closing arguments in the trial of the accused in…
Trump halts military strikes on Houthis but expert warns Iran-backed terrorist group remains major threat

Trump Pressed to Support Yemen’s Anti-Houthi Forces Amid Rising Attacks on Shipping

On Sunday, the State Department condemned Yemen’s Houthi terrorist movement, backed by…
Fowl play: Florida woman charged after allegedly spraying mace at driver who struck chicken crossing the road

Chicken Crossings Turn Chaotic: Florida Woman Faces Charges for Macing Driver Who Hit Bird

A woman from Florida is now facing charges after causing quite a…
UK government to lower voting age to 16 before next national election despite strong conservative opposition

UK Plans to Reduce Voting Age to 16 Before Next National Election Amid Strong Conservative Resistance

The United Kingdom is set to reduce the voting age from 18…
WWII veteran, POW Emilio Agguire, who died alone in 1995 Chicago heat wave, honored at Homewood Memorial Gardens

WWII Veteran and Former POW Emilio Aguirre, Who Passed Away Alone During the 1995 Chicago Heat Wave, Remembered at Homewood Memorial Gardens

HOMEWOOD, Ill. (WLS) — There was a special honor Thursday for a…
Smoke billows following Israeli strikes in Damascus.

Israel and Syria Reach Ceasefire Agreement, Says U.S. Envoy Following Days of Airstrikes and Rising Tensions

ISRAEL and Syria have agreed to a ceasefire, a US envoy has…
After years of tough rules on liquids and footwear, US air travel may be on the cusp of a new era

US Air Travel Poised for Change After Longstanding Liquid and Footwear Restrictions

NEW YORK (AP) — Since the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) implemented liquid…
Popular 'internal shower' chia seed trend could backfire if you make this one mistake

Avoid This Common Mistake with the Popular ‘Internal Shower’ Chia Seed Trend

Chia seeds have long been a staple in the health food arena,…
Suspect Steven Montano testifies in own defense in trial for murder of Chicago police Officer Andrés Vásquez Lasso

Steven Montano Takes the Stand in Defense During Trial for the Murder of Chicago Officer Andrés Vásquez Lasso

CHICAGO (WLS) — Closing arguments could be presented to the jury as…