Tension between America and Iran regarding Iran’s nuclear program seems to be increasing once again. US President Donald Trump recently mentioned an underground complex of Iran, which was not much discussed in front of the world till now. Trump claimed that if needed, America can launch a major attack on this base. This place is Pickaxe Mountain, which is considered to be a very secure and secret nuclear complex of Iran.
Iran says that Pickaxe Mountain is a strong and modern center under construction, which is being prepared as an alternative to the Natanz nuclear complex. This complex is located near the city of Natanz in Isfahan province. Its biggest feature is its depth and security system. This is the reason why questions are being raised among experts whether Iran is using this place only for centrifuge production or there could be some other purpose behind it.
How did the name emerge?
In the year 2020, there was an explosion in Iran’s Natanz nuclear complex. Iran had called it an incident of sabotage. After this, Iran announced the construction of a new and more secure nuclear center. After some time, satellite images started showing signs of tunnels and construction activities in the Kolang Ghazala or Pickaxe Mountain area. However, it is not as famous as other nuclear sites in the country.
According to the American think tank Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS), this complex is located at an altitude of about 1,608 meters above sea level and may have several underground levels inside it. However, complete information regarding its actual depth and capacity is not yet available.
Can America attack?
America has previously used the GBU-57 bunker buster bomb on Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility. This bomb is designed to damage strong bases built underground. But experts believe that attacking Pickaxe Mountain may be more difficult than Fordo, because less information is available about its structure and depth.
According to experts, if nuclear material or centrifuges are present inside this complex, it will not be easy to destroy them completely. However, its activities can be stopped by targeting tunnel entrances, electrical systems and ventilation systems.
What evidence has been found so far?
Iran has clarified that no nuclear activity is going on in Pickaxe Mountain. At the same time, even international experts do not have any solid evidence that work on making nuclear weapons is going on there. However, the secrecy and security arrangements of this complex have brought it into the eyes of the world.
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