Trump says US may hit Iran's Pickaxe Mountain soon - Reuters

President Donald Trump reiterated a warning that the United States could launch an attack on Iran’s underground nuclear facility known as “Pickaxe Mountain” in the near future. The statement, made during a live briefing, emphasized that the U.S. was prepared to take military action “very soon” if diplomatic efforts failed to curb Tehran’s nuclear program.

The warning follows a series of escalating measures by the U.S. administration aimed at increasing pressure on Iran. On Friday, the Treasury Department imposed sanctions on a Turkish investment bank and two of its subsidiaries, marking the first instance of a financial institution from a NATO ally being targeted under the current sanctions campaign. The designated entities—Golden Global Yatirim Bankasi Anonim Sirketi, Golden Global Portfoy Yonetimi Anonim Sirketi, and Golden Global Varlik Kiralama Anonim Sirketi—were accused of facilitating trade between China and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Qods Force.

U.S. officials have indicated that the sanctions are part of a broader strategy to isolate Iran economically after earlier attempts, including limited military strikes and a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, failed to bring Tehran back to the negotiating table. The administration has argued that the combined economic and military pressure is intended to compel Iran to comply with international nuclear non‑proliferation obligations.

The Treasury’s action targets the alleged role of the Turkish firms in supporting the IRGC Qods Force, a unit linked to Iran’s regional activities and its nuclear ambitions. By cutting off financial channels that connect Iran with external partners, the United States aims to restrict the flow of resources that could be used to advance the country’s nuclear capabilities.

While the administration has not disclosed specific operational plans, the repeated public statements about a possible strike on Pickaxe Mountain signal an intensifying stance toward Iran. The combination of sanctions, naval presence, and the threat of direct military action underscores the heightened tension surrounding Tehran’s nuclear program and the U.S. effort to achieve a diplomatic resolution.