US President Trump on Tuesday said American forces could soon attack Pickaxe Mountain in Iran amid a fresh wave of strikes in the country. He said that US is closely monitoring activities at the heavily fortified site, which hosts two deeply buried tunnel complexes. He, however, rejected the possibility of Iran hiding any “doomsday weapon.”
On being asked whether he would insist that the IAEA inspect Pickaxe Mountain before the US entered into another deal with Iran, Trump said, “They don’t have it because we have eyes with the Space Force and everything else. We have a lot of eyes on it. But Pickaxe is a possible target for a nice, big, fat shot right near the front door. Maybe you’ll see that.”
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it launched missile and drone strikes against the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain as part of its ongoing retaliatory campaign. Besides, the military force also claimed it targeted US military assets at Sheikh Isa Airbase in Bahrain during what it described as the second wave of its retaliatory operation. The military officials released official statements confirming the attack, however, there has been no confirmation from Bahrain or the US yet.
Additionally, it also claimed to have struck two super oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, alleging the vessels ignored repeated warnings before being disabled. According to an official statement by the force released by state local media, the IRGC said the tankers had switched off their navigation systems and were taking a southern route through Omani waters after being “deceived by the US”. The announcement followed from the United Arab Emirates that two of its oil tankers were attacked in Omani waters, leaving at least one Indian crew member dead.
According to a report explosions rocked the southern coastline of Iran. The local media agency reported that US projectiles struck the city of Omidiyeh in Khuzestan Province, southwestern Iran, on Tuesday injuring at least 4 people. Several explosions were also heard in Jam, a southern city in Iran’s Bushehr province, as well as Qeshm Island. Earlier, Iranian media reported explosions in Bandar Abbas and Kish island following a CENTCOM tweet saying new wave of attacks on Iran have started.
The US Central Command launched the third consecutive night of strikes against Iran, at the Commander in Chief’s direction who maintained the operation was intended to protect maritime security and reduce Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Gulf.
Amidst the latest military exchange, the standoff at the over the Strait of Hormuz has intensified. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on social media that countries ensuring the safe movement of commercial ships through the strait should be compensated for providing that service. He added that Iran “has always been and will remain the strait’s guardian.” Officials in Tehran maintain that the Strait of Hormuz is managed by Iran in coordination with Oman, rejecting Trump’s claim that the United States will eventually control the waterway.
Despite the latest military exchange mediators including Oman and Qatar continue efforts to preserve communication between Washington and Tehran and prevent the collapse of the interim agreement reached last month.