Iran Denies Activities at 'Mountain Axe' Site, Calls Reports 'Psychological Warfare'
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Ismail Baghaei, on Monday denied reports of activities at the "Mountain Axe" (Pickaxe Mountain) site, following former US President Donald Trump's statement that the United States was monitoring movements there. Baghaei, speaking at his weekly press conference, described these statements as falling "within the framework of American media and psychological warfare." Last week, Trump had stated the possibility of striking "Mountain Axe," urging Iran to exercise caution. This fortified site is located near Iran's Natanz uranium enrichment facility, which previously suffered significant damage. "Mountain Axe" contains two deeply buried tunnel complexes, and Trump had been threatening strikes against it since at least mid-July. In a related context, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) earlier reported observing construction work and activity at the "Mountain Axe" site, situated approximately 220 kilometers south of Tehran, south of the main Natanz uranium enrichment facility. This highly fortified installation is suspected of being linked to nuclear activities. IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi explained in an interview with Bloomberg on Thursday that the agency's inspectors have not yet been able to inspect the tunnel complex inside the mountain. However, satellite images showed indications of new movements and work at the site. Grossi added that the agency observed "some indications of activity around the construction site," but he simultaneously stressed that they did not possess confirmed information regarding the nature of these ongoing activities. Grossi had previously indicated that Iranian authorities had announced their intention to relocate some of their activities inside tunnels and mountains to protect them from potential attacks. It is believed that construction of the fortified site began after an Iranian facility for manufacturing centrifuges was subjected to a sabotage attack approximately six years ago.
