Trump threatens strike on Iran's Pickaxe Mountain suspected nuclear site

Former President Donald Trump announced that the United States could launch a military strike against a site in Iran that intelligence agencies believe houses a nuclear facility deep beneath Pickaxe Mountain. The statement, made during a recent press briefing, warned that the alleged underground complex poses a direct threat to regional security and could prompt decisive action if diplomatic efforts fail.

Pickaxe Mountain, located in the central Zagros range, has long been cited by U.S. and allied analysts as one of the most opaque components of Iran’s nuclear program, with satellite imagery suggesting extensive tunneling and infrastructure consistent with weapons‑grade material processing. The threat of an attack follows heightened scrutiny of Tehran’s nuclear activities, ongoing negotiations over the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, and previous U.S. military actions targeting Iranian facilities. Officials emphasized that any decision would be based on further verification and coordination with international partners, underscoring the delicate balance between deterrence and escalation in the region.