- Trump threatened to bomb an Iranian underground nuclear facility known as Pickaxe Mountain, stating that the US would be hitting the area 'very heavily' soon.
- The US military completed its 11th night of strikes on Iran, targeting military sites including aircraft hangars and drone storage.
- Iran warned that any US attack on its nuclear facilities would be treated as an expansion of the war in the region.
- Iran began construction of Pickaxe Mountain in 2020, intending it to replace a destroyed centrifuge plant at Natanz.
- US strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites in June 2025 have accelerated construction at Pickaxe Mountain.
President Donald Trump has escalated tensions with Iran, threatening to strike the Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site 'very heavily' amid ongoing U.S. military operations. This warning comes as the U.S. military completed its 11th night of strikes on Iranian targets, including aircraft hangars and drone storage sites.
Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, refuted claims of nuclear activity at Pickaxe Mountain, stating, "Washington's obsessive focus on Kolang Kouh, where no nuclear activity is taking place, is nothing more than a fabricated pretext for aggression, destruction, and sabotage." The Iranian military has warned that any U.S. attack would be seen as a significant escalation of the conflict, potentially leading to a broader regional war.
The Pickaxe Mountain facility, located near Iran's Natanz enrichment plant, is believed to be a fortified underground site connected to Iran's nuclear program. Experts suggest it could house a centrifuge enrichment plant and nuclear weaponization activities. David Albright, a nuclear weapons expert, noted that the mountain is large enough to accommodate such operations, although it remains unclear when the site could become operational.
As tensions rise, oil prices have surged, reflecting fears over the conflict's impact on global supply. Brent crude has increased by 4.6% to $95.16 a barrel, its highest in six weeks. The ongoing military actions and threats from both sides continue to undermine diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a ceasefire in the region.
“Oil prices surged 4.6%, with Brent crude climbing to $95.16 a barrel, as the US conducted its 11th consecutive night of strikes on Iranian military targets. Iran's foreign ministry denied any nuclear activity at Kolang Kouh, calling the US threats a 'fabricated pretext for aggression,' while experts warn the underground facility, built 100 meters deep, could potentially house centrifuge enrichment and weaponization activities.”
The Guardian
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