US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: The war between Washington and Tehran is entering another tense phase after President Donald Trump said the US could strike Iran’s heavily fortified Pickaxe Mountain site “very soon.” His warning came as he defended the US military campaign and played down the conflict by calling it a limited military confrontation.
At the same time, fresh reports from Iran said an oil tanker near the strategic Kharg Island was hit by US missiles. Reuters independently reported explosions in the area but said the source of the blasts was not immediately known.
Trump’s latest comments put Iran’s nuclear infrastructure back at the centre of the conflict. Pickaxe Mountain sits near the damaged Natanz uranium enrichment facility and contains deeply buried tunnel complexes, making it a significant target in any further US operation.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Trump Warns US Could Strike Pickaxe Mountain ‘Very Soon’
Trump said Friday that the United States could target Pickaxe Mountain in Iran “very soon” if Washington determines that activity is taking place there. The site lies near Natanz and contains fortified underground tunnel systems. Its location and construction make it one of the more difficult Iranian nuclear-related facilities to target.
Speaking to reporters at the Oval Office, Trump defended the US campaign and said stopping Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon remains the central objective.
“We’re in five months now. And you know what we did in five months? They’re not going to have a nuclear weapon; that’s what we did,” Trump said. He then issued a further warning about the consequences if Iran obtained a nuclear weapon.
“Iran will not have a nuclear weapon because if they did, you probably wouldn’t be standing here very long,” he added.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Trump Calls Iran Conflict ‘Small Potatoes’
Trump also rejected the idea that the current fighting should be described as a conventional war. He backed Vice President JD Vance’s recent argument that the confrontation does not amount to a “war” and described the US military action as limited in scale.
“I can understand what he’s saying,” Trump said. He added, “I call it a military conflict because it’s small potatoes for us. It’s not a big thing.
Trump pointed to the intermittent nature of the strikes while defending the US operation. AP reported that 18 US service members have been killed during the conflict, while the campaign has also created substantial costs for Washington.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Explosions Reported Near Strategic Kharg Island
Explosions were reported on Saturday near Kharg Island, Iran’s major Gulf oil terminal.
Reuters confirmed the blasts but said their origin was not immediately known. Iranian media separately reported that an oil tanker near the island had been struck by a missile.
Iranian reports claimed the tanker was hit by four projectiles. However, that specific claim has not been independently confirmed by Reuters.
Kharg Island is strategically important because it serves as a major outlet for Iran’s crude oil exports. Any confirmed attack in the area could therefore create another layer of concern for energy markets and shipping in the Gulf.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Iran Tanker Report Adds to Gulf Shipping Risks
The tanker report has added to concerns over commercial shipping around Iran’s coastline. Iranian media reported that the vessel was being evacuated after the alleged missile strike. Other reports said there were no immediate casualty reports.
The development follows repeated incidents involving commercial vessels around the Strait of Hormuz and nearby Gulf waters.
The waterway remains crucial to global energy supplies, meaning any new military activity around major Iranian oil infrastructure could quickly affect oil prices, shipping insurance and regional security calculations.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: What Happens Next?
Trump’s Pickaxe Mountain warning raises the possibility of another US operation against a deeply buried Iranian facility.
A strike there would represent a significant escalation because the site is connected to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and sits close to the already damaged Natanz complex.
The situation around Kharg Island could also become important if reports of a tanker strike receive further confirmation.
For now, the key developments to watch are any US decision on Pickaxe Mountain, Iran’s response to Trump’s warning and whether authorities confirm what caused the explosions near Kharg Island.
