The Israeli newspaper Maariv has reported the existence of a secret Iranian nuclear facility referred to as the “Axe Mountain Site”, claiming it to be deeper and more fortified than the Fordow facility, long considered one of Iran’s most secure nuclear locations. The report suggests this new site may be Iran’s primary location for accelerating nuclear weapons development.
The revelations follow a large-scale U.S. military strike—dubbed “Operation Midnight Hammer”—that targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities in Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow. The operation involved 14 bunker-buster bombs dropped by seven B-2 stealth bombers, reportedly aimed at crippling Iran’s known nuclear infrastructure.
A New Underground Stronghold?
According to Maariv, discussions circulating on social media claim that Fordow may no longer be Iran’s most protected nuclear facility. Instead, these sources allege that Iran has been actively developing a more advanced, deeply embedded nuclear site, which they believe could become the centre of Iran’s nuclear weapons program if acceleration is desired.
The site, known as the Jabal al-Fas (Axe Mountain) facility, is said to be:
- Built directly into a mountain just a few kilometres south of Natanz.
- Reportedly equipped with four tunnel entrances, making it significantly more resistant to airstrikes compared to Fordow, which is believed to have only two.
These features suggest a highly strategic design, potentially aimed at withstanding precision-guided munitions and deep-penetration bombs, especially after repeated threats and operations targeting Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
Details from the U.S. Military Strike
On Monday, U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Kain disclosed that seven B-2 bombers flew 18 hours from the United States to Iran to execute the bunker-buster attack, designed for maximum surprise and minimal visibility.
General Kain confirmed that the U.S. launched a total of 75 precision-guided munitions, including:
- More than twenty Tomahawk missiles
- Participation of at least 125 military aircraft
- Strikes on three nuclear-related sites: Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow
The nature of this high-risk operation, described as a “deceptive assault,” highlights the ongoing military and intelligence contest over Iran’s nuclear trajectory—especially amid growing speculation about Tehran’s undisclosed facilities and long-term intentions.
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