Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump on Monday, where he intends to share intelligence regarding Iran's nuclear program. The intelligence is expected to detail alleged advancements at Iran's Pickaxe Mountain site and suggest that Tehran is not negotiating in good faith regarding its nuclear ambitions.
A source in Jerusalem indicated that Netanyahu's team will provide evidence of recent nuclear activity at the secretive Pickaxe Mountain facility. This site, located more than 300 feet beneath Kolang Mountain near the Natanz nuclear facility, has been suspected of involvement in Iran's atomic program. Israel has reportedly uncovered proof that nuclear centrifuges have been moved to the facility for the first time since construction began in 2020.
Previously, there was no documented evidence of nuclear activity at Pickaxe Mountain. President Trump had previously referenced this lack of information as a reason for not targeting the site in past actions against Iran. Reports suggest American forces are prepared for potential operations, including ground assaults, to seize enriched uranium believed to be stored at the facility.
In addition to nuclear activities, Israel also plans to present intelligence suggesting Iran is rebuilding its missile and drone programs. These programs were reportedly significantly degraded by U.S. airstrikes. The information is intended to demonstrate that Iran is not committed to abandoning its nuclear or missile programs during ongoing cease-fire negotiations with the United States.
The Pickaxe Mountain site is believed to possess different vulnerabilities compared to other Iranian nuclear facilities that have been targeted by the U.S. and Israel.
The meeting between Netanyahu and Trump comes as the U.S. president recently paused a bombing campaign against Iran, a decision made amid new diplomatic efforts to end Tehran's actions in the Strait of Hormuz. Beyond nuclear concerns, Netanyahu is also slated to brief President Trump on efforts to maintain cease-fires in Lebanon and Gaza, regions where Iranian-backed proxies operate.
Following the meeting on Monday, Prime Minister Netanyahu is scheduled to remain in Washington to attend a service on Tuesday along with President Trump and other world leaders to honor the late Sen. Lindsey Graham.