Trump hints at strikes on Pickaxe Mountain, downplays war with Iran

U.S. forces conducted defensive strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, according to two American officials. The strikes were described as limited in scope and aimed at countering recent Iranian actions.

President Donald Trump discussed potential future strikes during a press conference, mentioning the possibility of targeting a facility known as Pickaxe Mountain. The site is located in Iran's Isfahan region and is near the Natanz nuclear complex.

Trump downplayed the current conflict, stating that the U.S. had not engaged in major combat operations against Iran for some time. He referred to the situation as a 'very soft war' with minimal direct combat.

During a phone call with Axios, Trump said the U.S. was in 'no rush' to resume strikes but emphasized that action would eventually occur. He claimed Iran's economy had been weakened and that its people were growing weary of the conflict.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqaei stated that Tehran is prepared for any outcome in the ongoing conflict. He warned that any support for U.S. and Israeli actions would result in a 'decisive response' from Iran.

Baqaei also outlined Iran's demands for a peace deal, stating that the U.S. naval blockade and unmet requests must be addressed before negotiations could proceed.