U.S. President Donald Trump has raised the possibility of launching additional military strikes against Iran, including a potential attack on a suspected underground nuclear facility known as Pickaxe Mountain, as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to escalate.
During a Thursday evening interview with Newsmax host Rob Finnerty, Trump suggested that the United States could target the facility as part of renewed efforts to weaken Iran's nuclear capabilities.
“Now, we’re looking at Pickaxe Mountain. We may have to go there,” Trump said.
“We’ll take a shot at that one. We’ll knock it out fast,” he added, while emphasizing that deploying American ground troops would not be necessary.
The remarks followed reports that the Pentagon was preparing potential military operations against Iran after the November 3 U.S. midterm elections.
According to CNN, U.S. defense officials have been developing plans that could involve deploying the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb, commonly known as the “mother of all bombs,” against Iranian nuclear facilities and energy infrastructure.
The MOAB is the largest non-nuclear bomb in the American military arsenal. However, its primary effectiveness comes from generating a massive surface explosion, raising questions about whether it could successfully destroy deeply buried nuclear installations.
When asked about the reported plans, Trump clarified that the weapon was not nuclear but declined to confirm or deny whether the United States intended to use it against Iran.
The possibility of renewed U.S. military action comes as diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing Iran conflict remain stalled.
Washington and Tehran continue to clash over control and security in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route for global oil supplies. Previous attempts to negotiate a peace agreement have produced little progress.
Meanwhile, Trump has appeared reluctant to authorize further direct attacks before the November elections, as rising oil prices fuel domestic economic concerns and voter frustration.
Despite that hesitation, multiple reports suggest that Washington could resume military operations against Iran in November, while Tehran is reportedly preparing for another potential confrontation.
Trump's latest comments have renewed uncertainty surrounding the Iran war, with investors closely monitoring potential disruptions to global energy markets and the broader economic consequences of escalating U.S.-Iran tensions.
