WORLD NEWS · MILITARY · NUCLEAR SECURITY

US President Donald Trump says Washington may have to strike Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain facility in the future, raising fresh questions about the next phase of the conflict and the security of Iran’s underground nuclear-related infrastructure. Trump says he wants to prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, while ruling out the use of nuclear weapons by the United States in the conflict.

US President Donald Trump has warned that the United States may carry out another strike against Iran, identifying Pickaxe Mountain as a possible future target in the country’s nuclear-related infrastructure.

In an interview with Newsmax on Thursday night, Trump said the facility was under consideration and suggested that Washington could attack it if necessary. His remarks, reported by Reuters on October 16, do not amount to confirmation that an attack has been authorised.

The comments come as the United States and Iran remain in conflict following US-Israeli strikes that began in February. Any additional attack on a deeply buried facility could carry significant military and diplomatic consequences, particularly if it triggers further retaliation.

What Trump Said About Pickaxe Mountain

Trump said the United States was examining the possibility of striking Pickaxe Mountain, describing the facility as deeply buried beneath a large amount of rock.

He argued that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon remained a central US objective. However, he did not announce a specific date for an attack or publicly confirm that a final military decision had been made.

Trump also said he would not use a nuclear weapon against Iran. He maintained that the United States would not need to deploy nuclear weapons to pursue its military objectives and reiterated that he was not considering sending US ground troops into Iran.

His remarks leave open the possibility of further conventional military action while stopping short of confirming an imminent strike.

What Is Pickaxe Mountain?

Pickaxe Mountain is a heavily fortified, underground facility near Iran’s Natanz nuclear complex, approximately 220 kilometres south of Tehran. The site contains deeply buried tunnel infrastructure that could make it difficult to reach using conventional air strikes.

Natanz has been an important part of Iran’s uranium-enrichment programme. Pickaxe Mountain has attracted attention because of the possibility that its underground facilities could support nuclear-related activities, including work involving centrifuges.

However, the facility’s precise operational status and intended use remain important uncertainties. An assessment published by the Institute for Science and International Security, as reported by Reuters in July, indicated that construction was continuing and that satellite imagery alone could not establish when the site might become operational.

The distinction matters: a facility associated with a country’s nuclear programme is not automatically proof that it is currently producing nuclear weapons or that it contains an operational weapons programme.

For background, see the Reuters explainer on Pickaxe Mountain.

Why the Underground Location Matters

Facilities buried deep inside mountains can be more difficult to damage than buildings or infrastructure located at the surface. Rock, reinforced entrances and underground tunnels can complicate efforts to reach a specific target.

Military analysts have questioned whether even powerful conventional bunker-penetrating weapons could destroy all parts of a facility buried as deeply as Pickaxe Mountain. A strike might damage entrances or associated infrastructure without necessarily eliminating every underground component.

That creates a significant challenge for military planners. The physical destruction of a site does not automatically establish that all nuclear-related equipment, materials or technical capabilities have been eliminated.

The possibility of an attack therefore raises questions about the effectiveness of available weapons, the reliability of intelligence about the site and the potential consequences of a strike that does not achieve its intended objective.

Could the US Use the 'Mother of All Bombs'?

Trump was asked about reports that US officials were considering the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb, commonly known as the MOAB or the “Mother of All Bombs,” for possible operations against Iranian infrastructure.

He stressed that the MOAB is a conventional weapon, not a nuclear bomb. However, he did not confirm that he had authorised its use against Pickaxe Mountain or any other specific Iranian target.

The weapon’s large explosive yield does not mean it can automatically destroy a facility buried deep underground. Its effectiveness against a particular target would depend on the target’s location, depth, construction and other operational factors.

As a result, reports about possible weapon choices should not be treated as confirmation that the Pentagon has selected a weapon or that an attack has been approved.

What Another Strike Could Mean for the Conflict

A US attack on Pickaxe Mountain could intensify the conflict with Iran, particularly if Tehran responds with strikes against US forces, regional partners or strategic infrastructure.

The wider confrontation has also placed attention on the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global oil and gas shipments. Any further escalation that threatens shipping or energy infrastructure could affect oil prices, transport costs and economic conditions beyond the Middle East.

However, the scale of any economic or military impact would depend on what was targeted, whether Iran retaliated, how other countries responded and whether diplomatic channels remained open.

The United States would also face questions about whether an attack could achieve its stated objective of limiting Iran’s nuclear capabilities or instead lead to further military action without resolving the underlying dispute.

Is an Attack Imminent?

Trump’s statement signals that Pickaxe Mountain remains under consideration as a possible military target. It does not establish that a strike will definitely happen or that the US military has received a final order to attack.

The president did not provide a confirmed timetable in the reported interview. The facility’s status, the military options available to Washington and the course of the wider conflict are all relevant to what happens next.

Diplomatic developments and any further official statements from Washington or Tehran may provide additional indications of whether the situation is moving towards renewed military action or a different approach.

Key Facts

  • Who: US President Donald Trump.
  • Potential target: Pickaxe Mountain, an underground facility associated with Iran’s nuclear programme.
  • Location: Near the Natanz nuclear complex, south of Tehran.
  • Latest statement: Trump said the US may have to strike the facility in the future.
  • Weapon decision: Trump did not confirm that the MOAB had been authorised for use against the site.
  • Nuclear weapons: Trump said the US would not need to use a nuclear weapon.
  • Military status: A future strike was discussed, but the interview did not confirm that an attack had been authorised.

The Bigger Picture

Trump’s warning puts Pickaxe Mountain back at the centre of concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme and the direction of the conflict. The facility’s underground design presents a difficult military challenge, while its exact operational status remains a key question.

For now, the possibility of another strike remains a stated option rather than a confirmed operation. Whether Washington takes further action will have implications for regional security, global energy markets and the broader effort to prevent the conflict from escalating further.

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