Tensions between the United States and Iran have reached a new peak as President Donald Trump threatens to strike a heavily fortified Iranian nuclear facility known as "Pickaxe Mountain." The complex, located south of Tehran, has become a focal point in the escalating conflict, raising questions about its purpose and strategic significance.
What is Pickaxe Mountain?
Pickaxe Mountain is a highly fortified site housing two tunnel complexes buried deep underground, making it resistant to conventional bunker-busting bombs. US intelligence reports indicate the facility is carved into solid granite rock, hundreds of meters deep, to shield it from powerful aerial attacks.
While Iran has maintained since construction began in 2020 that the site is solely for assembling advanced centrifuges, Western intelligence agencies suspect it may be a secret uranium-enrichment facility. According to the US-based Al-Monitor, Tehran could be using it as a "strategic hedge" for its nuclear program.
Trump's Threat
In a recent interview with The Hugh Hewitt Show, Trump directly warned Iran: "We're going to take out Pickaxe Mountain. Tell the Iranians to be ready." He added, "We don't see any activity there. They're not doing very well with their nuclear situation. Every time we hear about it, we blow it up. So they don't like to talk about it. But we'll probably give Pickaxe a hit relatively soon."
Escalating Attacks
The threat comes amid a third wave of US airstrikes targeting Iranian military assets. US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced it used precision-guided munitions to strike coastal-defense systems, missile and drone sites, and naval capabilities across Iran. The five-hour operation on Monday targeted locations including Bandar Abbas, Kish Island, Qeshm Island, and Abu Musa.
Iranian media reported explosions in southern regions, with three blasts in Bandar Abbas and fires on three boats at Kish Island's port. Four people were reportedly injured in Omidiyeh, Khuzestan province.
Iran's Response
Tehran blamed Washington for "returning insecurity" to the region, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps accused the US of endangering global oil supplies. Despite the strikes, Iran's official news agency offered limited details on casualties or damage.
Diplomatic Possibilities
Trump has left the door open for diplomacy, telling reporters in the Oval Office that an agreement with Tehran was "certainly possible," even as his administration presses forward with military action and a blockade on Iranian ports. The situation remains volatile, with the world watching for the next move in this high-stakes confrontation.