An Israeli official has claimed that another round of strikes against Iran is “only a matter of time,” saying Tehran is racing to reactivate and fortify its nuclear program in anticipation of a possible attack, Saudi news channel Al-Hadath reported on Thursday.

The unnamed source said Israel had recently detected intensified efforts to relocate and fortify parts of Iran’s nuclear program at Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La, or “Pickaxe Mountain,” near the Natanz nuclear facility.

Earlier this month, the head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog said the agency had observed construction activity at Pickaxe Mountain, which Western intelligence has flagged as a site that could be used to store nuclear material.

Israel would again strike Iran’s nuclear facilities if Tehran crossed its “red lines,” and would do so either alongside the United States or independently, the official said, adding that Israel was ready for renewed fighting with Iran “at any time.”

The source said coordination with Washington remained “strong and continuous,” but voiced doubt that ongoing mediation could yield a deal between the US and Iran.

The US and Iran held indirect talks Tuesday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, the first such negotiations since mid-June, with US President Donald Trump saying afterward that they “went very........

© The Times of Israel