Trump: US ready to bomb Pickaxe Mountain and other Iranian nuclear targets in 10 minutes

President Donald Trump stated on Sunday that the United States is prepared to attack the final components of Iran's nuclear program in a matter of minutes. Speaking overnight, the president identified one or two remaining sites that require military attention, specifically naming Pickaxe Mountain. He asserted that a plan exists to execute the strikes very quickly. Trump said, "We can do it in ten minutes. We have a plan for it, and we can execute it very quickly."

These comments followed a telephone conversation between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. A Wall Street Journal report indicates the call occurred as the US prepares to resume strikes on Iran. Prior to the call, Trump met with senior military leaders to discuss options for resuming operations. The group included Central Command Admiral Brad Cooper, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine.

The Pentagon has moved additional resources into the Middle East in recent weeks. The reinforcement includes air defense systems, ammunition, and other military equipment. Simultaneously, the US repositioned forces away from bases that might be vulnerable to Iranian retaliation. Last week, ten US Air Force transport aircraft arrived at Israeli Air Force bases in southern Israel. KAN News reported that these planes, which originated at Fort Bliss in Texas, likely carry air defense systems to protect regional assets. Other aircraft in the convoy landed in Jordan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

The timing of these preparations coincides with the final days of the campaign for the congressional midterm elections, scheduled for Tuesday, November 3. The ongoing conflict and rising fuel prices are key issues for Republican candidates. The White House has reportedly delayed the start of a new war to allow for more campaigning. Defense officials assess that the US will not order an operation before the election unless it detects signs of a surprise Iranian attack. Israel's defense establishment has kept its preparations ambiguous, giving Iran another chance to return to negotiations.

Iran has responded to the diplomatic signals with heightened military threats. Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei ordered commanders to prepare for an immediate and powerful response to any additional attack. General Ali Abdollahi, the Iranian Chief of Staff, warned that the country expanded its list of potential targets. He stated that Iran would determine the end date of any new war. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday that if President Trump intended to act militarily, he would have done so weeks or months ago. He clarified that the US possesses all necessary capabilities for a successful operation.

Two weeks ago, dozens of Israeli fighter jets flew as far as the Iranian border before turning back. Axios reported that this practice sortie was confirmed by US and Israeli officials. An Israeli source told KAN that an additional US naval aircraft carrier will join American forces in the region. An additional Marine unit is also expected to deploy. The US and Israel are closely coordinating on the situation.

The next major political milestone is the midterm election on November 3. The outcome will influence the timeline for any military action. The US continues to push for a diplomatic agreement while maintaining military readiness. The phone call between Trump and Netanyahu underscores the coordination between Washington and Jerusalem. It remains unclear whether diplomatic contacts will yield an agreement or if the president will choose to resume strikes following the election.