Trump says US may need to strike Iran's Pickaxe Mountain

As of October 16, 2026, President Donald Trump is considering targeting Pickaxe Mountain, a fortified facility near one of Iran's nuclear sites, in response to the ongoing conflict which began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February. According to reports from multiple outlets including CNN and Reuters, the Pentagon has developed plans for using the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb (MOAB), also known as the "mother of all bombs," against Iranian targets like energy infrastructure and nuclear sites. However, Trump did not confirm whether he had authorized this specific weapon or any military action at Pickaxe Mountain during an interview with Newsmax on October 15.

The conflict has reached a deadlock, with diplomatic efforts to resolve it stalled since the summer. Despite considering significant military options, Trump ruled out using nuclear weapons and deploying US ground troops in Iran. The potential use of MOAB raises concerns about its efficacy against deeply buried facilities like Pickaxe Mountain and possible civilian casualties.

Trump's actions are influenced by his desire to boost approval ratings ahead of November’s midterm elections, amid growing public discontent over the war's impact on fuel prices and other economic factors. Officials also express doubts about whether such a powerful conventional weapon could effectively neutralize Iran's deeply buried nuclear infrastructure.