Trump Hints at Potential Strike on Iran's Key Nuclear Site
Trump's Warning on Iran's Pickaxe Mountain
In a recent interview, President Donald Trump indicated that the U.S. might soon target Iran's Pickaxe Mountain, an underground facility near the Natanz nuclear site, which is believed to be crucial for Iran's nuclear ambitions. During his conversation with Hugh Hewitt on July 13, Trump stated that the U.S. would strike Iran "very hard" in the coming days, specifically mentioning Pickaxe Mountain as a potential target. He warned, "We're gonna take out Pickaxe Mountain. Tell the Iranians to be ready. Let them know we're coming, okay? There's not a damn thing they can do about it."
"You've obliterated 3 of their nuclear sites, but they got a 4th site, maybe, at Pickaxe Mountain. Before you enter into another deal, will you insist that IAEA inspectors get down into that deep, deep, deep tunnel...?"@POTUS: "Absolutely. They don't have it because we have… pic.twitter.com/ywaTZEB2Tm
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 13, 2026
He elaborated that the site could be targeted with "a nice, big, fat shot right in the front door." These comments come amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran, particularly over control of the Strait of Hormuz. Recently, Iran has attacked several commercial vessels in this vital waterway, claiming they entered without permission. In retaliation, the U.S. has initiated airstrikes across southern Iran, targeting locations in Bandar Abbas, Sirik, Jask, and Qeshm Island.
Understanding Pickaxe Mountain's Significance
Pickaxe Mountain, or Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La, is a heavily fortified underground facility situated in Iran's Zagros Mountains, approximately one mile from the Natanz nuclear site. Intelligence analysts suspect that this complex is intended for centrifuge production and possibly uranium enrichment. Experts believe that the facility's deep construction makes it resistant to destruction, even by advanced bunker-buster munitions. The site has reportedly been under development since 2020, but its precise function remains unclear, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has never been allowed to inspect it.
Recent satellite imagery analyzed by the Institute for Science and International Security has revealed ongoing construction activities at the site. Observations indicate that workers are reinforcing tunnel entrances while vehicles are still active in the area. Additionally, some tunnel entrances have been partially blocked since April, limiting vehicle access, and a smaller tunnel complex has been sealed off. The contents of these sealed tunnels are unknown but may include enriched uranium. The assessment suggests that much of the Pickaxe Mountain facility is not yet operational, and any construction there could violate the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding, which mandates that Iran maintain its nuclear program's status quo during negotiations.
Meanwhile, the underground enrichment facilities at the Natanz site remain largely inaccessible due to previous U.S. and Israeli strikes, with damaged entrances and disrupted power systems still in need of repair.