Former US President Donald Trump declared that the United States is closely watching suspected activity at Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site and would not hesitate to launch a strike if any movement related to nuclear development is detected. Trump emphasized that US Space Force surveillance systems provide detailed observation, capable of reading identification badges from orbit, underscoring the level of monitoring deployed.
Trump acknowledged uncertainty surrounding whether Iran is engaging in nuclear work at Pickaxe Mountain but highlighted that even minimal activity there would trigger a forceful response. He emphasized that other Iranian facilities previously struck by US forces remain under constant surveillance, with readiness to act swiftly in defense of US interests.
Addressing doubts expressed by weapons experts regarding the capability of US bunker-buster bombs to penetrate deeply fortified sites like Pickaxe Mountain, Trump affirmed that the United States possesses advanced munitions designed for such targets. He also discussed the Taleghan facility outside Tehran, which was targeted in prior US airstrikes. Satellite images shared during an interview revealed concrete being poured to seal entrances at Taleghan, a tactic Trump interpreted as Iran’s effort to block access and shield the site from future attacks.
Trump stated that the US could swiftly conduct another strike on Taleghan if necessary, noting the speed and extent of damage that such an operation would cause. He recounted that his administration ordered Operation Epic Fury, involving B-2 bomber strikes on multiple Iranian nuclear sites, to forestall Iran’s advancement toward acquiring a nuclear weapon. According to Trump, Iran was weeks away from weaponizing nuclear material before these strikes.
Iran maintains that its nuclear program serves peaceful purposes, though its uranium enrichment and restrictions on international inspections have fueled ongoing tensions with the United States and Western countries. The delicate situation at multiple nuclear sites, including Pickaxe Mountain and Taleghan, remains a focal point of geopolitical concern, with US officials signaling vigilance and readiness to respond to any violations.