Israeli Intel Reportedly Shows Iran Has Relocated Nuclear Centrifuges To Pickaxe Mountai

According to a report by the Times of Israel on Tuesday July 21, 2026, Israeli intelligence has reportedly concluded that Iran transferred thousands of nuclear centrifuges into the heavily fortified Pickaxe Mountain complex, a move believed to have placed key elements of its nuclear program beyond the reach of many conventional airstrikes.

The assessment, first reported by The Wall Street Journal and attributed to US and Israeli officials, suggests the relocation took place last autumn. According to the report, Tehran shifted the equipment in the months following the 12-day conflict in June 2025, when the United States used B-52 bombers to strike several underground Iranian nuclear sites.

If accurate, the move would represent another effort by Iran to protect sensitive nuclear infrastructure by placing it deeper inside reinforced mountain facilities, making any future military operation considerably more difficult.

The report comes as President Donald Trump has continued to publicly discuss the site. Last week, he described Pickaxe Mountain as a potential military objective and indicated that the location remained under close observation by the United States.

“Pickaxe is a possible target for a nice big fat shot right near the front door,” Trump said.

Trump also suggested that Washington had not detected significant activity at the site and hinted that military action against the facility could be considered in the near future, though he offered no further details.

Earlier this month, CNN reported that recent satellite imagery showed trucks repeatedly entering and leaving the Pickaxe Mountain complex. Analysts said the movements could point to reconstruction work or renewed activity linked to Iran’s nuclear program, although the images did not provide conclusive evidence about what was taking place inside the underground facility……See More