President Donald Trump speaks standing between Secretary of State Marco Rubio, right, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a press conference after the plenary session at the NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, Wednesday, June 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
| Published June 25, 2025
June 25, 2025 — Former President Donald Trump strongly defended the U.S. military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities earlier this month, pushing back against intelligence reports suggesting Iran had moved enriched uranium before the attack.
In an interview with Newsmax, Trump said the operation was so swift that “they didn’t have a chance to move anything,” referring to reports that Iran may have relocated sensitive nuclear materials ahead of time. “The sites were hit hard. Deep underground. They were completely destroyed,” he claimed, calling the operation a “complete success.”
However, a contrasting view comes from a recent Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) assessment reported by The Hill. According to U.S. officials briefed on the findings, Iran likely anticipated the strikes and managed to transfer enriched uranium to a hidden underground facility known as “Pickaxe Mountain” near Natanz. This site has long been suspected by intelligence agencies to serve as a fortified nuclear storage bunker.
Spotlight on “Pickaxe Mountain”
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Multiple outlets report intelligence pointing to material being stashed at a highly fortified underground site dubbed Pickaxe Mountain, near Natanz.
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Satellite imagery indicates suspicious truck movements and tunnel expansions—raising fears that uranium stockpiles may remain hidden and intact.
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The IAEA is calling for renewed inspections to verify undeclared nuclear material.
Pentagon officials, speaking on background, said the airstrikes “set back” Iran’s nuclear program by only a few months, rather than neutralizing it entirely. Satellite imagery reviewed after the operation showed movement of trucks and expanded tunnel activity at the suspected location, raising further questions about how much damage was actually inflicted.
The conflicting narratives have sparked debate in Washington. Some lawmakers have criticized the Biden administration for canceling a classified briefing originally scheduled to clarify the impact of the strikes. “Congress and the American people deserve transparency on whether Iran’s nuclear ambitions have truly been derailed,” said a Republican member of the House Intelligence Committee.
Political & Institutional Context
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IAEA: Demands access to assess damage and verify undeclared materials—especially at suspected sites like Pickaxe Mountain.
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Congress & media: A DIA briefing for lawmakers was abruptly cancelled, prompting criticism for lack of transparency and concern over oversight.
Satellite pics show lorries lining up outside Fordow in the days before the US strikesCredit: Reuters
One of the last missiles fired by Iran into Israel lodged in the groundCredit: Twitter
A B-2 Spirit bomber escorted by two F 15E Strike EaglesCredit: Alamy
Advantages and Disadvantages
Supporters (Trump’s View):
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Trump claims the strikes were fast and precise, leaving Iran “no time” to move uranium.
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He says multiple underground nuclear sites were “completely destroyed.”
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The operation, according to Trump, sends a strong message of deterrence.
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Some military sources say the strikes disrupted Iran’s timeline for enrichment activities.
Critics (Intelligence Community & Analysts):
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U.S. intelligence reports indicate Iran had advanced warning and likely moved enriched uranium to a hidden facility.
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A site known as Pickaxe Mountain, near Natanz, may now be storing those materials underground.
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A Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) report suggests the strike only delayed Iran’s nuclear program by a few months.
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The IAEA is demanding inspection access, citing concerns over undeclared nuclear activity.
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A classified briefing to Congress was abruptly canceled, drawing criticism from lawmakers demanding transparency.
Bottom Line:
The disagreement over whether Iran’s nuclear materials were successfully targeted—or cleverly concealed—has created deep political and strategic tensions. Trump is standing by the strike as a strong show of U.S. power, while intelligence agencies and watchdogs warn the nuclear threat may still be very much alive. The coming weeks could determine if Iran’s program was truly set back—or simply forced further underground.
SOURCES: NEWSMAX – Trump: Iran Didn’t Move Nuclear Material Before Strikes
THE HILL – Trump denies Iranians moved nuclear materials before US strikes
THE US SUN – NUKE LAIR Secret Iranian fortress Trump’s bombs CAN’T reach: Fears ultra-secure ‘Pickaxe’ mountain is perfect nuclear hiding place
