Trump threatens 'Pickaxe Mountain' as Iran war drags on

President Donald Trump has threatened to attack a fortified underground Iranian nuclear site known as Pickaxe Mountain, escalating his rhetoric as the US war with Iran enters its fifth month with no end in sight. On a radio interview, Trump said the site near one of Iran's primary enrichment facilities is a possible target for “a nice big fat shot right near the front door,” raising the prospect of a new phase in a conflict he once predicted would last weeks.

A war that defied predictions

Last year, after US strikes on Iran's largest nuclear facilities, Trump and the White House declared the country's nuclear program destroyed. “Monumental Damage was done to all Nuclear sites in Iran,” Trump wrote on social media. The White House called the program “obliterated” and dismissed any contrary evidence as “Fake News.” But a year later, the US finds itself bogged down in a war that has taken a costly turn.

Iran has gained strategic leverage by seizing control of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global oil shipments. The resulting spike in fuel prices has forced Washington to the negotiating table, though a ceasefire agreement collapsed this week. Trump now faces mounting criticism from opponents who accuse him of leading the country into another “forever war,” despite his campaign promises to end such conflicts.

The nuclear specter returns

In response to the criticism, Trump is leaning back into the narrative that Iran poses an unacceptable nuclear threat. He has named Pickaxe Mountain—known locally as Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La—as a potential target. The facility is described as a fortified underground site, making it a more challenging target than the above-ground facilities struck earlier. Analysts suggest that attacking Pickaxe Mountain would signal a significant escalation, as it could be seen as a direct assault on the remaining vestiges of Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Strait of Hormuz leverage

Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz has been a pivotal factor in the war's trajectory. By threatening the passage of oil tankers, Tehran has managed to inflict economic pain on the global economy, driving up fuel prices worldwide. The US has tried naval operations to reopen the strait, but Iran's use of mines and anti-ship missiles has made the effort costly. The collapse of the ceasefire this week suggests that neither side is willing to back down, and Trump's latest threat indicates he is prepared to double down rather than seek a diplomatic exit.

Implications and next steps

The threat to strike Pickaxe Mountain carries high risks. Such an attack could trigger a wider conflict, potentially drawing in regional allies or escalating Iranian retaliation. It also tests the resolve of the international community, many of whom are already weary of the war's impact on energy markets. For Trump, the move is a gamble to regain credibility on his original promise to dismantle Iran's nuclear program, but the prolonged conflict has already eroded that narrative. As the war grinds on, the world watches to see if Pickaxe Mountain becomes the next flashpoint or whether diplomacy—however fragile—can steer away from another devastating strike.