Trump Warns US May Soon Strike Iran's Secret Pickaxe Mountain Nuclear Site
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US President Donald Trump delivered a stark warning on Friday, stating that the United States might 'very soon' strike Iran Pickaxe Mountain, a heavily fortified underground facility widely believed to be a key part of Tehran's clandestine nuclear program. This comes amidst an escalating 'Iran war' that has seen ongoing military confrontations and heightened tensions in the Middle East. Trump's remarks underscore a critical moment in the six-month-old conflict, focusing on a site where international nuclear watchdogs have been denied access. The so-called 'Pickaxe Mountain', known locally as Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La, is a massive underground complex near Iran Natanz nuclear complex. It was constructed after an earlier attack on Natanz, presumably to protect Iran advanced centrifuge assembly and uranium enrichment capabilities deep within granite rock, making it extremely difficult to destroy. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has voiced concerns over Iran refusal to grant inspectors access, fueling international fears about Tehran's nuclear ambitions. This latest threat follows months of US and Israeli strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites, ongoing disruptions to shipping in the crucial Strait of Hormuz, and has already resulted in 18 US service members losing their lives, though President Trump has repeatedly dismissed the conflict as 'small potatoes'. Looking ahead, the international community is bracing for potential escalation, with the US, Britain, France, and Germany pushing for a draft resolution that could refer Iran to the UN Security Council over its non-proliferation obligations. Any strike on Pickaxe Mountain would undoubtedly intensify the regional conflict, potentially drawing in more players and further destabilizing global energy markets. With the conflict already impacting US domestic fuel prices and a $5 billion US arms sale to Saudi Arabia recently approved, the coming days will be crucial in determining the path of this volatile standoff.