On July 13, Donald Trump said that the mountain facility “Peaks” (Pickax) is under consideration as one of the possible U.S. targets, and even mentioned the possibility of a direct attack on it. Let’s take a closer look at these facilities:

• This site is located near the Natanz enrichment facilities and is part of a larger, protected nuclear complex. Construction began in 2020 to replace the center for assembling advanced centrifuges.

• The facilities are built deep underground (about 100 meters beneath the mountain) and have several tunnel entrances that likely connect to multi-level underground sections.

• The Islamic Republic has carried out extensive security measures to protect this complex, including walling, patrol routes, and reinforcing the tunnel entrances.

• Based on satellite images, the center has not yet become fully operational, but construction is ongoing, and there is a possibility that it could be used for the assembly—or even the enrichment—of uranium.

• Despite the fortifications, this site still has vulnerabilities; including dependence on external infrastructure (power, ventilation, access) and open tunnel entrances that could be targeted by attacks or sabotage.

• Experience from previous attacks on similar sites shows that an airstrike (especially with bunker-busting weapons) or ground operations could damage this type of facility, though an attack solely on the entrances usually causes only temporary disruption.