Trump said the United States could strike Pickaxe Mountain, a fortified underground complex near Tehran’s main nuclear sites, during a Newsmax interview on Thursday. The site lies beneath millions of tons of mountain rock, making it a formidable target for conventional air power.
"We may have to go there. We'll take a shot at that one," Trump told the outlet, adding that the strike would be swift and decisive. He clarified that the US would not employ a nuclear weapon in its campaign against Iran, stressing that such a weapon would be unnecessary.
The president also said he had not authorized the use of the GBU‑43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB) bomb, and that the MOAB is not a nuclear weapon. The comment came as Washington has intensified pressure on Iran after a series of US‑Israeli strikes earlier in the year.
Iranian officials have not yet released a statement on the remarks, and no official response has been issued by Washington’s nuclear policy team. Analysts say the declaration signals a willingness to use high‑yield conventional weapons against Iranian facilities.
The White House will review operational feasibility and engage with the Pentagon before any strike is ordered. Officials anticipate a briefing to senior advisors in the coming days to assess the implications for regional stability.