• Warns against activity at fortified nuclear site; IAEA reports new construction near damaged Natanz facility• Tehran says its navy targeted unmanned US surface vessel in Hormuz• Ship traffic in strait plunges as Iran widens restricted maritime zone
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday the United States may hit Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain, urging Tehran to be cautious as the months-long war on Iran continues to escalate ahead of the midterm elections.
“We notice there’s a little activity at Pickaxe. 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.
Pickaxe Mountain, located 140 miles south of Tehran and near the heavily damaged Natanz facility, is a fortified site with deeply buried tunnel complexes.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has observed construction activity at the Isfahan province site. The IAEA has not inspected the interior, but remote imagery indicated new movement, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi told Bloomberg Television.
