'Not finished': Trump signals US strikes on Iran's Pickaxe Mountain site

President Donald Trump announced that the United States is “not finished” attacking Iran and warned that American forces could soon launch heavy strikes on the Pickaxe Mountain site, a suspected underground nuclear facility near Iran’s Natanz uranium enrichment plant. Speaking at the White House on Tuesday, local time, Trump emphasized that the U.S. would continue targeting Iran’s infrastructure, stating that it would take the Islamic Republic more than 20 years to recover from the damage inflicted during recent hostilities. He added that the U.S. would not leave the region immediately, underscoring his administration’s commitment to ongoing military pressure. The remarks came amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, with Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain reporting intercepted Iranian attacks. Sirens blared in Bahrain as the country claimed it had thwarted drone and missile strikes. Kuwait stated that Tehran had launched multiple attacks on its power and water desalination facilities, prompting energy rationing among residents. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards confirmed strikes on Jordan, asserting they had targeted a “complex housing US terrorist forces” in the Rukban region. Similarly, the Guards claimed they had attacked U.S. assets in Kuwait and Bahrain, including air defense systems, radar installations, and administrative buildings. They warned that these actions would lead to “even more decisive and powerful waves of drone and missile attacks.” Meanwhile, Yemen-based Iran-backed Houthi rebels issued a threat to block Saudi Arabia’s ports, potentially disrupting global energy markets. Saudi Arabia condemned the Houthi militia as “terrorists,” reaffirming its support for Yemen’s legitimate government. Trump responded by vowing to “take care of” the Houthis if they proceeded with the blockade, citing previous U.S. interventions against the group. However, experts remain uncertain about how the Houthis would execute such a move, though maritime intelligence firm Vanguard Tech noted that two tankers reversed course in the Red Sea after loading crude at Saudi’s Yanbu port following the warning. A potential blockade could threaten Saudi Arabia’s alternative oil export routes and cause economic instability. In another development, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards reported that two tankers attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz were struck by explosions, causing massive fires and halting their movement. Earlier, the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency (UKMTO) reported that an “unknown projectile” had hit a tanker off the coast of Oman. These incidents highlight the increasing frequency and intensity of attacks in the strategic waterway, which is critical for global oil trade. The conflict between Iran and the U.S., along with regional allies, has intensified in recent weeks. Fighting between the two nations resumed two weeks prior, marking a renewed phase of hostilities. The situation has drawn concern from international observers, who warn of the risks posed to regional stability and global energy security. While the U.S. continues to assert its presence in the region, the Iranian leadership has shown no signs of backing down, instead escalating its military operations and diplomatic threats. As the situation unfolds, the focus remains on whether the U.S. will follow through on its threats to strike key Iranian sites, particularly Pickaxe Mountain, and how Iran will respond to further attacks. With tensions rising and the potential for further escalation, the coming days will likely see more confrontations, both on land and at sea, as the geopolitical landscape in the Middle East continues to shift.