Trump Threatens Heavy Strikes on Iranian Pickaxe Mountain Site

President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the United States will soon launch heavy strikes against Pickaxe Mountain, an underground nuclear site under construction near Natanz, Iran. Trump indicated that while the facility's depth may challenge bunker-buster bombs, the U.S. intends to hit the area heavily. This escalation follows 11 nights of U.S. military strikes targeting Iranian operations centers, drone storage, and maritime assets, as well as previous attacks on facilities in Fordo, Isfahan, and Bushehr.

Iran has retaliated with strikes across the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, while warns of required actions in response to U.S. aggression. The conflict follows the death of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in February 2026 and the ascension of Mojtaba Khamenei. The International Atomic Energy Agency reports it has been denied access to the Pickaxe Mountain site.

In Washington, House Speaker Mike Johnson declined to invoke the War Powers Act against the administration and instead urged NATO and Middle Eastern allies to increase their involvement. Meanwhile, Trump ruled out near-term peace negotiations with Iran and announced a phased tariff plan for imported generic medicines to incentivize domestic manufacturing. The geopolitical instability has pushed global oil prices above $92 a barrel.