Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is set to present U.S. President Donald Trump with Israeli intelligence indicating that Iran is expanding its nuclear facilities at "Pickaxe Mountain" And deceiving negotiators about its openness to peace talks, according to a Jerusalem source cited by the New York Post.
The two leaders are scheduled to meet on Tuesday, with Iran's nuclear program and military activities expected to be central topics. The Israeli delegation will present evidence of Iran's latest nuclear operations and contend that Tehran is not negotiating in good faith. According to The Wall Street Journal, Israel has uncovered evidence that nuclear centrifuges were recently transported to the secretive "Pickaxe Mountain" Facility for the first time since the site's construction began in 2020.
The underground complex, located more than 90 meters beneath Mount Kolang near the Natanz nuclear facility, has long been suspected of involvement in Iran's nuclear program. Previously, there had been no evidence of active nuclear operations at the site, which Trump had previously noted as a reason it had not been targeted. Just last week, Trump downplayed reports of activity there, telling reporters the U.S. Had no intelligence confirming such developments.
Trump has more recently signaled willingness to strike the facility. According to various reports, U.S. Forces have prepared for a possible ground operation to seize hundreds of kilograms of enriched uranium believed to be stored beneath the mountain.
Israel will also present evidence that Iran has begun rebuilding its missile and drone programs, which were damaged in recent U.S. Airstrikes. The intelligence is intended to show Tehran has no intention of abandoning its nuclear or missile ambitions in any ceasefire negotiations with Washington.
Over the weekend, Trump paused a bombing campaign against Iran to pursue renewed diplomatic efforts. Netanyahu is also expected to brief the president on efforts to preserve ceasefires in Lebanon and Gaza.