US President Donald Trump has indicated that Iran's heavily fortified underground nuclear facility at Pickaxe Mountain could be among the next targets of American military action as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to intensify and US forces press ahead with a new round of strikes against Iran.
Speaking during an interview on The Hugh Hewitt Show, Trump said the United States was keeping a close watch on developments at the site, which contains two deeply buried tunnel complexes. At the same time, he dismissed suggestions that Iran was concealing any "doomsday weapon" there.
“Pickaxe is a possible target for a nice, big, fat shot right near the front door. Maybe you’ll see that," Trump said.
He later added, “We’re watching Pickaxe Mountain closely… We’ll probably give Pickaxe a shot relatively soon."
Issuing another warning to Tehran, the US President said, “We’re going to take out Pickaxe Mountain. Tell the Iranians to be ready."
Situated near Iran's Natanz uranium enrichment facility, Pickaxe Mountain is home to an extensive network of underground tunnel complexes that analysts regard as among Iran's most heavily protected nuclear installations. The site has not been opened to international inspectors, prompting concerns that it could be used for sensitive nuclear-related activities.
Trump's comments came as US forces launched a third straight night of military strikes on Iranian targets. The latest operations follow his announcement that Washington would restore its naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, after accusing Iran of attacking commercial shipping transiting the strategic waterway.
US Central Command said the ongoing operations were being carried out "at the commander in chief’s direction" and would continue to weaken Iran's military capabilities while limiting its capacity to threaten commercial vessels.
Although Trump asserted that there was no activity taking place at Pickaxe Mountain, a recent assessment by the Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security concluded that satellite imagery showed construction and fortification work continuing at the underground complex.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most critical maritime routes, with around one-fifth of global oil supplies passing through the corridor before the conflict escalated earlier this year.
