WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump warned Friday that the United States could soon strike Iran’s heavily fortified Pickaxe Mountain facility if Washington determines Tehran is continuing nuclear activity there, putting one of Iran’s most protected sites directly on notice.
“Iran will not have a nuclear weapon,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, adding that the United States “may hit Pickaxe very soon” if there is evidence of activity at the facility.
The warning comes as the United States has resumed attacks against Iranian targets after a period of reduced military activity, marking a renewed escalation in the confrontation between Washington and Tehran.
Trump said the United States carried out what he described as a “very heavy attack” against Iran Thursday night and remains prepared to launch additional strikes whenever necessary. He also suggested Iran may have limited ability to withstand continued American military pressure.
The President, however, stopped short of describing the confrontation as a full-scale war. Instead, he called it a limited “military conflict,” echoing comments from Vice President JD Vance that the renewed fighting should not necessarily be characterized as a war.
The focus on Pickaxe Mountain is especially significant because of its reported role in Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. A strike on a heavily fortified nuclear-related facility would signal that Washington is prepared to continue targeting sites Tehran may have believed were protected from conventional attacks.
Trump’s message also reinforces the central U.S. position driving the confrontation: Iran will not be permitted to obtain a nuclear weapon, regardless of how deeply its nuclear infrastructure is buried or fortified.
For Tehran, the warning creates a stark calculation. Continuing activity at Pickaxe Mountain could bring another direct U.S. attack, while halting operations would demonstrate the growing effect of American military pressure.
For markets and businesses, renewed strikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure would also raise the risk of further instability across the Middle East, including potential disruptions involving Gulf energy production, shipping routes and global oil prices.
Trump indicated that he does not expect the current escalation to continue for an extended period, saying Thursday that he did not believe Iran could withstand American attacks much longer.
But Friday’s warning made clear that Washington is not declaring the operation finished.
If activity continues at Pickaxe Mountain, the next phase could come quickly.
JBizNews Desk | Washington
© JBizNews.com All Rights Reserved. Reproduction or distribution without written permission is prohibited.
