Trump Threatens Pickaxe Mountain and Reinstates Strait of Hormuz Blockade Amid Escalating US-Iran Hostilities

• On July 13, 2026 President Donald Trump announced that the United States would “take out Pickaxe Mountain” and warned that “we’re going to hit them very hard tonight and we’re going to hit them hard tomorrow.” He also declared the reinstatement of a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and a 20 % reimbursement fee on all cargo transiting the waterway.

Reuters

• U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed a third consecutive night of strikes against Iran, beginning at 4:45 p.m. EDT on July 13, targeting air-defense systems, radar sites, missile and drone assets, and small boats.

• Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned that continued U.S. interference could “lead to greater incidents in the global oil and gas sector,” while the Iranian foreign ministry said the June memorandum of understanding was “in crisis.”

The Straits Times

Pickaxe Mountain is a heavily fortified underground complex located about one mile from the Natanz uranium enrichment facility in the Zagros Mountains. Construction began in 2020; Iranian officials described it as a centrifuge assembly plant. The site was not among the three nuclear facilities bombed by the United States in June 2025. Satellite imagery released in early July showed vehicle activity and hardening of tunnel entrances, suggesting ongoing construction, contrary to Trump’s claim of “no activity.”

Al Monitor

• The July 13 strikes marked the third day of U.S. attacks since July 8, following four separate rounds in the previous week.

The Hill

• Iranian state media reported at least four explosions near Bandar Abbas and a death toll of 25 people since hostilities resumed.

The Straits Times

• Oil prices rose more than 9 % on July 13 after the announcement of renewed strikes and the blockade.

The Straits Times

• President Trump, speaking on the Hugh Hewitt Show, said the United States “has a lot of eyes” on Pickaxe Mountain and that the site “could be a nice, big, fat shot right in the front door.”

The Hill

• CENTCOM stated the strikes “will continue imposing a heavy cost on Iranian forces and degrade their ability to attack innocent civilians and commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.”

• Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned that “continued interference could lead to greater incidents in the global oil and gas sector.”

Detroit News

• Iranian foreign-ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the 20 % fee “is of course too much” and reiterated Tehran’s opposition to any U.S.-imposed tolls.

The Straits Times

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed “deep concern” over the rapid escalation, urging both sides to return to diplomatic channels. Analysts such as Bader Al-Saif of Chatham House cautioned that the expanding attacks “will merely delay a permanent agreement” and increase the risk of broader conflict.

The Straits Times

Trump asserted that “we see no activity” at Pickaxe Mountain, yet the Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security reported late-June satellite images indicating ongoing vehicle movement and tunnel-entrance hardening. No independent verification of the site’s current operational status is available.

Al Monitor

• “We’re going to take out Pickaxe Mountain. Tell the Iranians to be ready.” — Donald Trump, interview on the Hugh Hewitt Show

The Hill

• “Pickaxe is a possible target for a nice, big, fat shot right in the front door,” — Donald Trump, interview on the Hugh Hewitt Show

Al Monitor

• “These strikes will continue imposing a heavy cost on Iranian forces and degrade their ability to attack innocent civilians and commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz” — U.S. Central Command statement

The Straits Times

• “known as ‘THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT’” — Donald Trump, Truth Social post

The Straits Times

• “20 per cent is of course too much,” — Esmaeil Baqaei, Iranian foreign-ministry spokesman

The Straits Times

U.S. officials indicated that the 60-day window for renewed nuclear negotiations, outlined in a preliminary agreement, remains open, while CENTCOM signaled that strike operations will persist until “Iranian forces are sufficiently degraded.” No further diplomatic milestones have been publicly scheduled.