US President Donald Trump issued a stern warning on Tuesday, threatening to target Iran’s heavily fortified underground facility known as “Pickaxe Mountain.” The move signals a significant escalation in the growing tensions between Washington and Tehran.
During an interview on the Hugh Hewitt Show on Monday, Trump revealed that the United States is closely monitoring the site, located near Iran’s damaged Natanz uranium enrichment complex. He suggested that a strike on the facility could occur soon, emphasizing the US intent to continue military pressure.
“We’re going to take out Pickaxe Mountain. Tell the Iranians to be ready,” Trump declared, asserting that Iran is experiencing setbacks in its nuclear program. He accused Tehran of avoiding negotiations about its nuclear activities following previous US strikes.
“Every time we hear about it, we blow it up. So they don’t like talking about it,” Trump added, underscoring the ongoing US campaign against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
Pickaxe Mountain is regarded as one of Iran’s most secure sites, featuring extensive underground tunnel systems designed to withstand powerful bunker-buster weapons reportedly possessed by the US military. Its proximity to the Natanz nuclear complex makes it a critical target in the dispute over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
In a related development, Trump announced renewed efforts to pressure Iran’s maritime operations by reinstating a blockade on Iranian shipping in the Gulf. He stressed that the United States will ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open for international navigation.
The president further warned of intensified military actions against Tehran following recent missile and drone exchanges between the two countries. “We’re going to hit them very hard tonight and we’re going to hit them hard tomorrow. And there’s not a damn thing they can do about it,” Trump stated.
This latest rhetoric marks a sharp escalation in the already strained relations between the US and Iran. The prospect of strikes on Iran’s underground nuclear facilities has raised fears of a wider regional conflict, intensifying global concerns over stability in the Middle East.
