Trump Warns US May Strike Iran's Pickaxe Mountain Nuclear Site 'Very Soon'

US President Donald Trump has issued a fresh warning that the United States could strike Iran’s heavily fortified Pickaxe Mountain nuclear-linked facility “very soon,” adding to tensions surrounding Tehran’s nuclear programme and the wider confrontation between Washington and Iran. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said the United States was closely watching activity at the site and indicated that military action remained an option. His comments did not include a specific timeline for a possible strike, but the warning has renewed attention on one of Iran’s most heavily protected underground facilities.

Pickaxe Mountain, also known as Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La, is located near the city of Natanz in central Iran. The area is close to Iran’s major uranium-enrichment complex and has been the subject of international scrutiny because of its extensive underground construction. The facility is believed to contain tunnels built deep beneath the mountain, making it considerably more difficult to target than conventional surface installations. The underground infrastructure has raised concerns that Iran could use the site to protect sensitive nuclear-related equipment from potential military attacks.

Trump’s latest remarks come amid continued US concerns about Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Washington has repeatedly argued that Tehran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, while Iran has maintained that its nuclear programme is intended for peaceful purposes. The US president has previously defended military action against Iranian nuclear facilities, saying the objective was to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. His latest warning suggests that Washington remains prepared to take further action if it believes Iran is rebuilding or expanding sensitive nuclear infrastructure.

The possibility of an attack on Pickaxe Mountain is particularly significant because of the facility’s underground design. Destroying deeply buried sites can be considerably more complicated than striking above-ground targets and may require detailed intelligence about the location and nature of facilities inside the mountain.

The site’s proximity to Natanz also adds to its strategic importance. Natanz is one of the most important centres of Iran’s uranium-enrichment programme and has previously been affected by attacks and acts of sabotage. Trump did not say whether an attack had been ordered or whether US forces were preparing for an immediate operation. His use of the phrase “very soon,” however, has raised questions about whether Washington has identified new activity at the facility.

Any US strike against Pickaxe Mountain could carry wider regional consequences. Iran could respond against American military positions or other interests in the Middle East, potentially expanding an already volatile confrontation. The development could also increase uncertainty in global energy markets, particularly if tensions spread to the Persian Gulf and surrounding shipping routes. There is no confirmed date for a possible US attack on Pickaxe Mountain. Trump’s statement nevertheless signals that the underground Iranian facility remains a major focus of US security concerns and could become the target of further military action as Washington continues to monitor Iran’s nuclear activities.

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