US President Donald Trump has warned that American forces could soon launch an attack on Iran’s heavily fortified Pickaxe Mountain site, as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to rise.
In an interview with The Hugh Hewitt Show, Trump said the US military is closely monitoring activities at the underground facility and suggested that it could become a target for a future strike.
“We’re watching (Pickaxe Mountain) closely. We see no activity there. They’re not doing well with their nuclear situation. Every time we hear about it, we blow it up. So they don’t like talking about it. But we’ll probably give Pickaxe a shot relatively soon,” Trump said.
Why is Pickaxe Mountain a possible US target?
Pickaxe Mountain is located near Iran’s Natanz uranium enrichment facility, which has already suffered heavy damage in previous attacks. The site contains two deeply buried tunnel complexes and is considered one of Iran’s most protected nuclear-related locations.
Trump dismissed concerns that Iran could be hiding a “doomsday weapon” at the site, saying the US has advanced surveillance capabilities to monitor the area.
“They don’t have it because we have eyes with the Space Force and everything else. We have a lot of eyes on it,” Trump said.
However, experts believe the underground tunnels at Pickaxe Mountain are extremely difficult to penetrate and may be beyond the reach of even some of the most powerful bunker-busting bombs in the US arsenal.
Why are US and Iran tensions rising again?
Trump’s warning came as American forces carried out a new wave of strikes against Iran on Monday. The attacks marked the third consecutive day of US military action against Tehran.
The latest strikes followed Trump’s announcement that the US Navy would reinstate a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route.
US officials said the military operations were carried out in response to Iran’s alleged attacks on commercial vessels trying to pass through the strategic waterway.
What could happen if the US strikes Pickaxe Mountain?
A possible attack on Pickaxe Mountain could become one of the most significant US military actions against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure due to the site’s underground design and strategic importance. Any strike on the facility could further increase tensions and trigger a fresh response from Tehran.
First published on: Jul 14, 2026 11:27 AM IST
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About the Author
Shivam Verma
Shivam Verma is a Chief-Sub-Editor at News24. A postgraduate diploma holder in Integrated Journalism from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai, Shivam focuses on international affairs, diplomacy, defence, and politics. Beyond the newsroom, he is passionate about football, both playing and watching, and enjoys travelling to explore new places and cuisines.
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