US launches new attacks in Iran conflict, war costs $37.5 bn, Trump vows heavy strike on Pickaxe Mountain

Former President Donald J. Trump announced on Thursday that the United States would “bomb” a site in Iran that he described as a “suspected nuclear facility” known as Pickaxe Mountain, pledging to strike “very heavily.” The statement, delivered during a rally in Florida, marked the latest escalation in a series of verbal confrontations between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s alleged nuclear weapons program.

Pickaxe Mountain, located in the central Iranian province of Kerman, has been cited by U.S. intelligence agencies in recent months as a potential location for uranium enrichment activities, although Iranian officials have denied any illicit nuclear work at the site. The United Nations Atomic Energy Agency has not yet released an official assessment of the location, and the International Atomic Energy Agency’s last inspection report on Iran’s nuclear facilities did not mention Pickaxe Mountain. In response to Trump’s remarks, Iran’s foreign ministry issued a statement condemning the threat as “unjustified aggression” and warned of “appropriate countermeasures.” The U.S. Department of Defense has not confirmed any operational plans, and senior officials emphasized that any military action would require coordination with congressional authorities.

The threat underscores the heightened rhetoric surrounding the stalled negotiations on Iran’s nuclear commitments and the broader regional security environment. Analysts note that while former presidents retain limited formal authority over foreign policy, their public statements can influence diplomatic dynamics. The situation remains under close observation by both allies and adversaries as diplomatic channels continue to seek a resolution to the dispute.