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US President Donald Trump has threatened to strike Pickaxe Mountain, an underground nuclear-related complex near Iran's Natanz facility, according to multiple reports. In a Fox News interview, Trump reiterated that the US would "take out" the site if no deal is reached with Iran, while dismissing reports of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offering to share intelligence on Iran's nuclear program.

Coverage Comparison

Al Jazeera reported that Trump threatened to strike Pickaxe Mountain, describing it as an underground nuclear-related complex near Iran's Natanz facility. The Jerusalem Post, in two separate articles, covered Trump's reiterated threats and his dismissal of Netanyahu's intelligence-sharing offer. One Jerusalem Post article reported that Netanyahu is expected to brief Trump on Iran's actions at the site, citing a New York Post report. The TASS English service quoted Trump as saying the US possesses complete information about Iran's nuclear developments and does not need Netanyahu's input. The Hindu provided detailed geological context, describing Pickaxe Mountain as part of the Karkas Range and reporting on satellite images showing activity.

Key Claims

Trump stated, "We have the greatest cameras in the world focused on [Iran's nuclear developments]. We know exactly what's going on. But no, I heard Bibi announce that, I said, 'Why don't you just tell it to me? Why do you have to announce it to the world?' I know exactly what's going on at Pickaxe. It's not a big problem," as reported by TASS and the Jerusalem Post. The Jerusalem Post also quoted Trump saying, "We took out their nuclear sites, and we'll have to take out Pickaxe if we don't make a deal. If we don't make a deal, we'll take it out very easily."

Netanyahu is expected to brief Trump on Iran's actions in Pickaxe Mountain and the regime's efforts to re-establish its nuclear program there, according to a Jerusalem Post article citing the New York Post. The same article reported that Netanyahu is expected to show that the Iranian regime is lying about its interest in pursuing a diplomatic solution.

Satellite images show a flurry of activity around Pickaxe Mountain, including movement of vehicles and entrances to what appear to be tunnels, as reported by The Hindu and the Jerusalem Post. The Hindu described Pickaxe Mountain as a geological formation around 220 km south of Tehran, part of the Karkas Range, with Israeli intelligence believing it houses a part of Iran's nuclear programme.

Perspectives

US Government

President Trump asserts that the US has complete surveillance of Iran's nuclear sites and does not require Israeli intelligence. He frames the potential strike as conditional on the lack of a deal, indicating a willingness to use military force.

Israeli Government

Prime Minister Netanyahu, as reported by the Jerusalem Post, is expected to present evidence that Iran is deceiving about its diplomatic intentions, pointing to the movement of nuclear infrastructure to Pickaxe Mountain as proof.

Iranian Government

No direct statement from Iranian officials was included in the provided material. The reports indicate Iran's actions at the site are under scrutiny, but Iran's own perspective was not presented.