US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: The US-Iran war has entered another potentially dangerous phase after President Donald Trump warned Tehran over what he described as new activity at Iran’s heavily fortified Pickaxe Mountain site. Speaking at the Republican midterm convention on Wednesday, Trump suggested the United States could attack the underground complex if Iran continues activity there.
“We notice there’s a little activity at Pickaxe. I would advise Iran not to get cute because we will have to hit them very hard.” Trump said.
The warning puts Pickaxe Mountain back at the centre of the conflict. The site, located close to Iran’s damaged Natanz nuclear complex, contains deeply buried tunnel facilities that have not been directly targeted in the current US-Israeli military campaign,
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Why is Pickaxe Mountain Important?
Pickaxe Mountain, also known as Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La, sits near Natanz in Iran’s Isfahan province. Its name comes from the Persian word for pickaxe.
The location has gained attention because Iran has built a large underground complex inside the mountain. The Institute for Science and International Security says the main facility has multiple tunnel entrances and is buried deep beneath the mountain, providing significant protection against airstrikes.
The facility has also seen years of construction and reinforcement. Satellite imagery reviewed by analysts has shown work around tunnel entrances, security infrastructure and other parts of the site.
That activity has raised questions about what Iran intends to use the complex for. While analysts have linked it to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, there has been no public confirmation that the site is currently operating as a uranium enrichment facility.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Trump Has Threatened Pickaxe Before
Trump’s latest warning is not the first time he has put Pickaxe Mountain on the US target list.
The Institute for Science and International Security reported in July that Trump had already identified the facility as a possible target. At the time, satellite imagery indicated that the underground complex was still under construction rather than fully operational.
The site remained untouched during previous attacks on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Natanz, however, suffered major damage during the ongoing conflict.
That distinction matters because Pickaxe Mountain could represent one of the remaining major underground facilities associated with Iran’s nuclear programme that has not faced a direct large-scale attack. Recent satellite imagery has again drawn attention to construction activity at the site.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: New Activity Raises Fresh Questions
Recent satellite imagery has added another layer to the dispute.
Reports based on satellite analysis indicate that construction at the underground facility has increased, with work continuing around the mountain and its tunnel infrastructure. Analysts have also observed defensive measures at some entrances in earlier imagery.
The activity does not by itself establish that Iran is enriching uranium at Pickaxe Mountain. However, the facility’s location, depth and connection to the wider Natanz complex make any significant construction activity strategically important.
That is also why the site presents a much harder military challenge than conventional targets.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Oil Prices Add Political Pressure
Trump’s warning comes as the Iran war creates a growing political problem for the US administration.
The conflict has disrupted energy supplies and pushed crude prices sharply higher. Brent crude moved above $100 a barrel this week as fighting and attacks on shipping intensified around key regional routes.
The increase has also pushed up US fuel prices, making the cost of the war a major domestic issue ahead of the November midterm elections.
Trump has argued that the conflict will eventually end after the elections. He has also accused Tehran of trying to influence the vote, while saying Iran is under increasing pressure.
The White House faces a difficult political calculation as the administration continues military action while voters deal with higher energy costs.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Trump Says War Could End After Midterms
Trump also used his convention speech to repeat his prediction that the war with Iran could end after the US midterm elections.
The conflict began on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched attacks against Iran. Tehran later responded with strikes targeting Israel and Gulf states hosting US military bases.
The fighting has since expanded beyond Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, with attacks on ships and energy facilities adding to fears of a wider regional crisis.
Reuters reported that the latest escalation has also disrupted shipping around the Strait of Hormuz, while Brent crude remains above $100 a barrel.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: What Makes a Strike on Pickaxe Mountain Difficult?
The biggest challenge for the US would be the facility’s underground design.
The Institute for Science and International Security estimates that parts of the complex sit at least 100 metres beneath the mountain. The site also has hardened entrances and a substantial security perimeter.
That makes Pickaxe different from exposed nuclear facilities that can be damaged through conventional airstrikes.
A strike would therefore raise questions about what weapons the US could use, how much damage they could inflict and whether Iran could repair or reopen the facility after an attack.
For now, Trump has not announced that an attack is imminent. His latest comments instead signal that Washington is watching activity at the site closely and is prepared to respond if it believes Iran is rebuilding or expanding sensitive nuclear infrastructure.
Iran has consistently said its nuclear programme is peaceful and has denied seeking nuclear weapons. The United States, meanwhile, has made limiting Iran’s nuclear capabilities one of its central objectives in the war.
