# US-Iran conflict: Escalating threats to Pickaxe Mountain > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/20260904-us-iran-military-conflict > Updated: 2026-09-09T16:11:06.000Z. Sources: 87. Developments: 4. The United States and Iran continue an intermittent “military conflict” focused on preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. President Donald Trump has maintained that U.S. intervention has successfully targeted Iranian radar, air defense, and maritime assets near the Strait of Hormuz, while dismissing claims of munitions shortages as “treasonous.” Escalating tensions center on Pickaxe Mountain (Jabal al-Fas), a heavily fortified subterranean facility near the Natanz enrichment center. Satellite imagery analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) reveals a significant surge in construction activity throughout 2026. This activity includes reinforcing tunnel access points, paving internal roads, and removing excavation spoil, suggesting a transition from excavation to internal construction and structural hardening. While imagery does not confirm Israeli intelligence claims that Iran has relocated uranium centrifuges to the site, the facility’s deep granite location makes it a difficult target for conventional weapons. In response, the U.S. Department of Defense is evaluating military options, including the development of next-generation penetrator bombs and conducting specialized underground testing at the White Sands Missile Range. Diplomatically, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors passed a resolution to report Iran to the UN Security Council for breaching non-proliferation obligations. The resolution passed with 23 votes in favor, while Russia and China voted against it. Iran has characterized the IAEA move as a political action driven by U.S. and Israeli aggression. President Trump has renewed warnings that the U.S. may strike the site “very soon,” urging Tehran “not to get cute.” ## Claims - Satellite imagery cannot confirm Israeli intelligence claims that Iran has relocated uranium centrifuges to the Pickaxe Mountain facility. (disputed by 5 sources) - The facility does not currently appear to be operating as an enrichment site due to a lack of observable activity. (disputed by 4 sources) - Iran has been rebuilding its nuclear program at the Pickaxe Mountain site since last fall. (disputed) - The United States may launch an attack on the Pickaxe Mountain facility in Iran soon. (corroborated by 27 sources) - President Trump characterized the ongoing hostilities with Iran as a military conflict rather than a full-scale war. (corroborated by 21 sources) - The United States has lost 18 people in the current conflict with Iran. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Construction activity at the Pickaxe Mountain site increased significantly in 2026, involving road paving, entrance reinforcement, and excavation removal. (corroborated by 8 sources) - A U.S. attack on a wedding in the Sirik district of Hormozgan province resulted in at least five deaths and over 60 injuries. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The U.S. Department of Defense is assessing military options and developing next-generation penetrator bombs to target deep underground facilities. (corroborated by 6 sources) - The IAEA Board of Governors passed a resolution to report Iran to the UN Security Council for breaching non-proliferation obligations. (corroborated by 5 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-09: Pickaxe Mountain: Iran accelerates construction at underground nuclear site Satellite imagery shows increased construction at Iran's fortified Pickaxe Mountain underground site, prompting U.S. threats of military strikes and an IAEA resolution to report Iran to the UN Security Council. 25 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/iran-intensifies-construction-at-fortified-natanz-underground-site ### 2026-09-06: Pickaxe Mountain: Trump warns of imminent US strike on Iranian site President Donald Trump warned the US may strike Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain site ‘very soon’ to prevent nuclear enrichment, while Iran rejects the claims, stating the site has no nuclear activity. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/trump-signals-potential-us-strike-on-irans-pickaxe-mountain ### 2026-09-04: Trump threatens strike on Iran's Pickaxe Mountain facility President Trump has threatened a strike on Iran's Pickaxe Mountain facility, describing the ongoing military conflict as ‘small potatoes’ amid rising tensions and strikes on Iranian oil tankers. 55 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/trump-warns-of-potential-us-strikes-on-irans-pickaxe-mountain ### 2026-09-02: Trump says U.S. strikes on Iran will not last long President Trump says U.S. strikes on Iran will be brief but remains ready for more, as Iranian officials report 18 deaths and vow firm retaliation following major military escalations. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/trump-says-us-strikes-on-iran-will-not-last-long --- Cite as: US-Iran conflict: Escalating threats to Pickaxe Mountain. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/20260904-us-iran-military-conflict