Trump Says U.S. Could Hit Pickaxe ‘in One Hour’ After Qeshm Strikes
Trump says the U.S. could hit Iran’s Pickaxe site “in one hour” after limited U.S. strikes on Qeshm Island, which officials call defensive. Axios says his advisers are split on a deal, renewed strikes or economic pressure.
Choose Clash Report as a preferred source and see our reporting first in Top Stories.
President Donald Trump said the U.S. “might have to go after [Pickaxe],” hours after American forces carried out limited strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island, but called such an operation “not a big deal.”
Speaking by phone to Fox News host Sean Hannity on Monday night, Trump said: “We can do that in one hour, OK, as soon as we want, at any time we want.” Pickaxe Mountain is a suspected underground nuclear site near Iran’s Natanz facility, according to CNN. Clash Report has explained the B61-11 bunker buster at the center of recent claims about the site.
A ‘Very Soft War’
Trump rejected the idea that the U.S. is at war with Iran. “When was the last time we fired anything? This isn’t a war, this is a very soft war,” he told Hannity.
He added that fighting “could happen if they don’t make a deal,” but said Iran wants one “very badly” and that “there is a very good chance we make a deal.”
CNN noted that Trump did not specifically address the reports of new strikes in the interview.
The Qeshm Strikes
The U.S. military carried out limited strikes on Qeshm Island on Monday, CNN reported, citing three U.S. officials. The Wall Street Journal was the first to report the operation.
The officials described the strikes as defensive and meant to protect U.S. assets in the region. One said they came in response to Iran firing at a U.S. aircraft. Another said they were “a defensive measure for Iranians using surface to air missiles against US assets.” CNN said one person familiar with the matter told it the administration deliberately kept the attack quiet.
Axios, citing a U.S. official, reported that a U.S. fighter jet destroyed an IRGC surface-to-air missile launcher in self-defense.
Iranian state media outlet IRNA reported five explosions in rapid succession on the island. The IRGC claimed it shot down a U.S. MQ-9 drone east of the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. has not confirmed that claim.
The Pentagon referred questions to U.S. Central Command, which did not respond to requests for comment.
Three Options, Divided Camps
Axios reported, citing sources, that Trump is weighing three courses of action, with his advisers split.
Vice President JD Vance and White House envoy Steve Witkoff are urging a deal. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth want to resume combat. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Secretary of State Marco Rubio favor continued economic pressure with neither war nor a deal.
According to a source with direct knowledge, Ratcliffe told Trump that prolonged economic pain would push Iran into more concessions or create enough instability for citizens to revolt. The CIA declined to comment.
Netanyahu has also urged Trump in a phone call to strike Iran after the midterms, Axios reported. The Wall Street Journal has reported that Gulf allies are bracing for U.S. strikes and Iranian retaliation.
No Deadline, Talks Under Way
Trump told Axios on Monday: “One way or the other, we will do something, but there is no rush.” That echoes his comments to Israel’s Channel 12 that he was in no rush to resume the war.
NBC News’ Garrett Haake said Trump answered “No” when asked whether he was considering striking Iran again after the midterms.
Qatari mediators traveled to Tehran late Monday for talks on a draft deal, Reuters reported. U.S. midterm elections are being held on Tuesday.
Choose Clash Report as a preferred source and see our reporting first in Top Stories.