Trump Hints at Potential Strike on Iran's Key Nuclear Site
In a recent interview, President Donald Trump indicated that the U.S. might soon target Iran's Pickaxe Mountain, an underground facility near the Natanz nuclear site, which is believed to be crucial for Iran's nuclear ambitions. During his conversation with Hugh Hewitt on July 13, Trump stated that the U.S. would strike Iran "very hard" in the coming days, specifically mentioning Pickaxe Mountain as a potential target. He warned, "We're gonna take out Pickaxe Mountain. Tell the Iranians to be ready. Let them know we're coming, okay? There's not a damn thing they can do about it."
He elaborated that the site could be targeted with "a nice, big, fat shot right in the front door." These comments come amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran, particularly over control of the Strait of Hormuz. Recently, Iran has attacked several commercial vessels in this vital waterway, claiming they entered without permission. In retaliation, the U.S. has initiated airstrikes across southern Iran, targeting locations in Bandar Abbas, Sirik, Jask, and Qeshm Island.
Understanding Pickaxe Mountain's Significance
Pickaxe Mountain, or Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La, is a heavily fortified underground facility situated in Iran's Zagros Mountains, approximately one mile from the Natanz nuclear site. Intelligence analysts suspect that this complex is intended for centrifuge production and possibly uranium enrichment. Experts believe that the facility's deep construction makes it resistant to destruction, even by advanced bunker-buster munitions. The site has reportedly been under development since 2020, but its precise function remains unclear, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has never been allowed to inspect it.