Trump warns Iran over reported activity at fortified Pickaxe Mountain site
Donald Trump said the United States may strike Pickaxe Mountain near Natanz, while linking a possible fall in oil prices to the period after the US midterm elections.
US President Donald Trump has warned Iran against what he described as “a little activity” at Pickaxe Mountain, saying the United States may strike the fortified site near the Natanz uranium facility.
“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. The reported activity has not been independently confirmed in the supplied material.
Pickaxe Mountain is described as containing two deeply buried tunnel complexes near Natanz. Trump has reportedly threatened strikes on the site since at least mid-July.
Oil prices rose by more than 3 per cent on Wednesday, pushing international Brent crude above US$100 a barrel as fighting between the United States and Iran escalated. Trump said prices would fall after the midterm elections, but suggested the decline could take longer than expected.
Separately, France 24 reported that CBS reporter Jennifer Jacobs said US aircraft were damaged in overnight strikes on Jordan’s Muwaffaq Salti Air Base. The report said one A-10 was left with a missing wing and about eight F-15s sustained light damage; the claims have not been independently verified in the supplied material.
