Trump vows U.S. will soon bomb Iran's Pickaxe Mountain

President Trump said Tuesday that the U.S. military will bomb Iran's Pickaxe Mountain, a deep underground facility suspected by the U.S. and Israel of being used for nuclear activities. Speaking at the White House alongside the president of Lebanon, Trump declared that the United States would hit the site "pretty soon" and "very heavily," making clear he sees no room for negotiation at this point.

Why Pickaxe Mountain?

Intelligence shared by Israel with the U.S., as reported by the Wall Street Journal, suggests that Iran has moved thousands of centrifuges into the mountain facility. Trump acknowledged the intelligence but noted the U.S. does not have definitive proof that centrifuges are stored there. Even if they are, he argued, it is not a threat unless nuclear material is also present—which he said Iran does not have. Nevertheless, the potential for a nuclear breakout has put the site high on the target list.

Military challenges and options

It remains unclear whether existing U.S. bomb technology can penetrate the rock above the deep underground facility. However, a strike could still cause significant damage by blocking entrance tunnels, according to defense officials. Trump's remarks come as his administration weighs two stark options: accept a 10-day ceasefire to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as urged by Qatar, Egypt, and Pakistan, or launch a massive joint military campaign with Israel aimed at forcing Tehran's capitulation. Trump's comments on Tuesday suggest he is leaning toward the latter.

Trump's stance on negotiations

“They want to desperately meet, and until they're ready to meet in a meaningful way, we have no interest,” Trump said, referring to Iran. He stressed that the U.S. is "not finished at all" with the war and warned that Iran has not "seen anything yet." The president's tone indicates a hardening position, with no signs of de-escalation in the near term.

Implications ahead

Analysts warn that a U.S. strike on Pickaxe Mountain could mark a significant escalation in the conflict, potentially drawing in regional powers and disrupting global oil markets through the Strait of Hormuz. As Trump moves away from diplomatic channels, the coming days may determine whether the standoff turns into a wider war or returns to the bargaining table. For now, the president has made his intentions clear: the bombing is imminent.