U.S. president urges Tehran to exercise caution as tensions rise around the fortified nuclear site near Iran’s heavily damaged Natanz enrichment complex
DALLAS/WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the United States could strike Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain, warning Tehran against taking actions that could trigger a forceful response.
“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 in a speech at the midterm Republican convention.
Pickaxe Mountain, located near Iran’s heavily damaged Natanz uranium enrichment facility, is a fortified site featuring two tunnel complexes buried deep underground.
Trump has threatened to strike Pickaxe Mountain since at least mid-July.
The United States and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28, prompting Iran to respond with strikes against Israel and Gulf states that host U.S. military bases.
Trump also said he believed the war would end immediately after the midterm elections, alleging that Tehran was attempting to influence the elections that will determine whether Republicans retain control of Congress.
Pickaxe Mountain is located about 220 kilometers (140 miles) south of Tehran and roughly 2 kilometers from the Natanz complex.
The Natanz site, which housed two of Iran’s uranium enrichment plants, was struck in March as part of U.S.-Israeli military attacks on Iran. Israel also targeted Natanz during last year’s 12-day war between Israel and Iran.
According to the Institute for Science and International Security, a U.S.-based think tank focused on nuclear non-proliferation, the tunnel facility under construction at Pickaxe Mountain was not targeted in either of those wars.
Trump has cited the weakening of Iran’s nuclear capabilities as one of the objectives of the war.
