Satellite Images Show Iran Expanding Pickaxe Mountain Nuclear Site Despite Iran-U.S. MOU

A memorandum of understanding signed by Iran and the United States says, “The Islamic Republic of Iran will maintain the current status quo of its nuclear program,” but new satellite images are raising questions about whether Tehran is complying with that pledge.

“Reinforcement of entrances to tunnels near the Natanz nuclear site - Author: Ama Pangli and Gonche Habibi Azad - Occupation: BBC Verify and the BBC Persian fact-checking section - Published in: - Reading time: 5 minutes Based on satellite imagery, Iran is strengthening a tunnel complex near the Natanz nuclear facility”

BBC

The Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) published a detailed analysis of satellite images from late June 2026 indicating that activity at the secret site in the Zagros Mountains, known as “Pickaxe Mountain,” is continuing.

BBC

ISIS said “Vehicle traffic can be seen on roads leading to the western tunnel entrances,” indicating work inside the tunnel complex and reinforcement of the entrances is still ongoing.

Fox News reported that inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have not been allowed to visit Pickaxe Mountain, and that the fortified facility is casting doubt on Iran’s willingness to abide by the MOU reached with the Trump administration.

ISIS also said the MOU requires Iran to maintain the status quo and should prohibit construction work at any nuclear-related facility, including Pickaxe Mountain.

Spencer Faragasso, a senior fellow at ISIS, wrote on X that “The continued work at the mountain is deeply troubling,” adding that it has been ongoing consistently since at least 2020.

Faragasso argued that the activity is “in my view, this is an insurance policy by Iran in case negotiations fail,” and said ISIS assessed that the mountain complex is large enough to contain a uranium enrichment facility.

Fox News

Fox News said the United States and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury Feb. 28, 2026, targeting Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities, and ISIS linked the Pickaxe Mountain work to a test of whether Iran will abandon a pattern of deception.

Fox News also reported that in late June the IAEA declined to answer a detailed Fox News Digital query on whether it would seek access to the Pickaxe Mountain facility.

In the same satellite-based analysis, ISIS said that at Natanz “little activity can be seen,” with access roads to underground enrichment halls not restored and worker entrances still destroyed.

Separate satellite reporting focused on tunnel reinforcement near Natanz, where BBC Verify said Iran is strengthening a tunnel complex near the Natanz nuclear facility by reinforcing entrances of two tunnels called Kalang Gazla (or Kuh Kalang) in Isfahan Province.

““The Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms that it will not seek or develop nuclear weapons”

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BBC Persian quoted Sina Asadi, director of the Middle East Studies program at George Washington University, saying: “The Iranian nuclear program has not been destroyed,” and that Iran assumes attacks will occur and therefore must protect its facilities as much as possible.

The BBC said Rafael Grossi, the IAEA Director General, told BBC that “we have a window of opportunity,” and that he believes about 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium remains in tunnels and underground facilities.

In a separate IAEA update carried by Al Arabiya Persian, the agency said significant damages were observed to two buildings near the Isfahan nuclear site, while also adding that there is currently no danger of radioactive leakage.

The BBC also said Iran and the United States recently held talks in Oman, with talk of a second round of negotiations, as tensions between the two countries continue to rise.