Trump Threatens U.S. Strike on Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain Amid Escalating Tensions
President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that the U.S. military will soon bomb Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain, a deep underground site near the Natanz nuclear complex, citing concerns over potential nuclear activity. Speaking during a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House, Trump stated, We’ll be hitting that area pretty soon, and very heavily,
adding, There’s not a thing they can do about it.
The remarks signal a shift toward military escalation, with Trump rejecting calls for a ceasefire and emphasizing the U.S. is not finished at all
with its campaign against Iran.
Understanding Pickaxe Mountain: A Deep-Underground Nuclear Facility
Pickaxe Mountain, officially known as the Shahid Alimohammadi facility, is a heavily fortified underground complex located 1.5 kilometers south of Iran’s Natanz enrichment site in Isfahan province. The facility, which gained prominence after a 2020 sabotage operation attributed to Israel destroyed an above-ground centrifuge plant, is described in AA as a nuclear fallback facility
built to sustain uranium enrichment even amid attacks.
For more on this story, see Trump Announces New US Strikes on Iran as Tehran Reports Explosions.
According to the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS), the underground halls of Pickaxe Mountain extend between 78 and 145 meters below the mountain’s summit, with recent satellite analysis suggesting depths exceeding 100 meters below bedrock. The site features hardened tunnel entrances, a double fence-and-wall perimeter, and two paved access roads. Iran maintains the facility is a manufacturing site
for centrifuges, but Western intelligence suspects it houses undeclared nuclear activity.
Trump’s Escalation: Ceasefire or Military Campaign?
U.S. officials indicate Trump is weighing two options: a 10-day ceasefire to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or a joint military campaign with Israel to force Iran’s capitulation. Axios reports Trump leaned toward the latter, rejecting negotiations with Iran and declaring, They want to desperately meet, and until they’re ready to meet in a meaningful way, we have no interest.
This follows our earlier report, Trump Announces Reimposed Naval Blockade on Iran-Demanding 20% ‘Payment’ from Ships.
Trump’s comments come amid heightened regional tensions. On Tuesday, explosions were reported in southern and southeastern Iran, while air defenses activated near the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant. Iranian state media also claimed attacks on U.S. assets in Kuwait and Bahrain, including radar installations and administrative buildings. The U.S. president warned of decisive and powerful waves of drone and missile attacks
if Iran continues its aggression.
Broader Implications: Houthi Threats and Regional Stability
The threat to strike Pickaxe Mountain coincides with Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen declaring a maritime blockade of Saudi ports, risking global energy markets. Maritime intelligence firm Vanguard Tech noted two tankers altered course in the Red Sea following the Houthi announcement.
Read also: New US Strikes on Iran: Trump Vows Further Action.
Uncertainties and Challenges
The feasibility of a U.S. strike on Pickaxe Mountain remains unclear. AA notes that no U.S. bomb is confirmed to penetrate the facility’s depth, though strikes could damage entrances or disrupt operations. Meanwhile, Iran’s resilience is highlighted by Trump’s claim that it would take more than 20 years to rebuild
from U.S. attacks, a projection met with skepticism by analysts.
Keep reading