Tensions between Washington and Tehran have sharply escalated after US President Donald Trump warned that he would deliver a “cruel blow” to Iran’s nuclear site “Peakax Mountain” (Peakax Mountain), saying the attack could begin “as early as tonight.” However, in the same Oval Office address, he added that a diplomatic agreement “is still possible,” while American bombs have been heard in the region for a third night in a row, and Iranian ports are again blocked.
“Peakax Mountain” is located south of Tehran, not far from the nuclear complex in Natanz. According to intelligence, it is a heavily fortified complex of two deep tunnels carved through hundreds of meters of solid granite. Experts believe the site’s defenses exceed the capabilities of even the most powerful US bunker-buster bombs. The American outlet Al-Monitor reports that US intelligence agencies suspect Tehran is building a secret, undeclared uranium-enrichment plant there as a “fallback” for its nuclear program. Iran, since 2020, has insisted that the facility is intended only for assembling and producing modern centrifuges.
In an interview with the program “Hugh Hewitt Show,” Trump said: “We will destroy Peakax Mountain. Tell the Iranians to get ready.” He added that the US is “closely watching” the site and “every time they hear about it — they blow it up.” In his view, Washington “will most likely strike soon.” In response, Tehran blamed the US for “bringing instability back,” and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) accused the White House of jeopardizing global oil supplies with its attacks.
The third wave of American strikes targeted Iranian military facilities. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it is using precision munitions to hit coastal-defense systems, missile-launchers, drones, and naval assets. The attacks lasted five hours and hit targets across Iran. Iranian media reported explosions in the southern parts of the country.
According to the Fars news agency, the explosions were heard on the islands of Qeshm, Kish, and Abu Musa, as well as in coastal cities, including Bandar Abbas. In Bushehr Province, explosions were heard in the city of Jam. The Mehr agency reported fires on three boats in the port of Kish, and in Khuzestan, according to local officials, four people were injured in the city of Omidiyeh. Official figures on damage have not yet been released.
Despite the military escalation, Trump continues sending signals that he is ready for negotiations. “An agreement is certainly possible,” he told journalists, noting that, as he said, Washington was close to a deal with Iran two days earlier, but Tehran backed down and asked for additional consultations. At the same time, American raids have not stopped, and Trump remains skeptical about Iran’s ability to withstand a long war, claiming the fighting will not last more than four months.
The escalation has already spread to neighboring countries. The UAE Ministry of Defense said that in the southern corridor of the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian cruise missiles attacked two tankers in Oman’s territorial waters: one person was killed and eight were injured. The IRGC, in turn, announced a strike on targets at the Al-Jafair base in Bahrain and emphasized that its naval forces would continue to defend Iran’s rights in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian military sources also said two oil tankers were damaged after ignoring warnings from the shipping safety center.
Comments on the news
- What is the “Peakax Mountain” nuclear facility and why is it considered so well protected? — “Peakax Mountain” (known as Kuh-e Topor or Peakax Mountain) is Iran’s underground nuclear facility located within the rock formation. It is believed to be protected because its main centrifuges and infrastructure are located tens of meters beneath the mountain, making them resistant to air strikes and most conventional bombs. In addition, the facility is equipped with a powerful air-defense system and is monitored by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. This design makes it difficult to destroy even when using bunker-busting penetrative munitions.
- What role does the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) play in Iran’s political and military system? — The IRGC is an elite military-political formation parallel to the regular army. It reports directly to the supreme leader (rahbar) and is responsible for protecting the Islamic Revolution. Beyond military tasks, the IRGC controls a significant part of the economy (construction, energy, telecommunications), participates in political decisions, and manages special units such as the “Quds” force, which handles the export of influence abroad.
- Why do the Iranian islands of Qeshm, Kish, Abu Musa, and the port of Bandar Abbas have strategic significance in the conflict with the US? — These territories are located at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz and enable control of the key sea route. Qeshm is the largest island in the Gulf, with military bases and missile installations. Abu Musa is disputed with the UAE and is important for monitoring the strait. Bandar Abbas port is Iran’s main naval base, from which fast boats and anti-ship missiles can operate. In a conflict, Iran would use them to block the strait or strike US fleets.
- What is the importance of the Strait of Hormuz for global energy security, and why does Iran threaten to block it? — About 20–25% of the world’s oil supplies pass through the Strait of Hormuz (mainly from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the UAE, and Kuwait). Any blockade would lead to a sharp jump in energy prices and a global economic crisis. Iran threatens to close the strait in response to sanctions or military pressure, as it can lay mines, use missiles and drones, and also deploy small submarines and fast boats. At the same time, Iran itself depends on the strait to export its oil, so such a threat is an extreme measure within an asymmetric strategy.
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