President Donald Trump says the United States may need to strike Iran’s “Pickaxe Mountain,” a facility linked to Iran’s nuclear program, as a way to prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. In interviews reported by multiple outlets, he frames the potential action as part of US efforts following ongoing US-Israeli strikes against Iran that began in February.
Trump also says he would not use nuclear weapons in the conflict, and argues that nuclear weapons would not be necessary to achieve US objectives. Reported comments include that if Iran had nuclear weapons “they would use it,” and that the nuclear material is “buried” under the mountain. Iran’s foreign ministry, according to one report, denies any nuclear activity at the site and dismisses US threats as baseless, setting up a dispute over the facility’s role.
Outlets largely focus on Trump’s remarks and how they relate to US-Iran tensions and the alleged status of the facility. One source additionally highlights Iran’s denial of nuclear activity at Pickaxe Mountain.
