US President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Iran on Wednesday, stating that the United States may strike Pickaxe Mountain and advising Tehran “not to get cute” regarding operations at the site. The remarks were made during a speech at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, where the conflict with Iran and its impact on energy markets dominated the discussion.
Pickaxe Mountain is a fortified location near the heavily damaged Natanz uranium enrichment facility and houses two deeply buried tunnel complexes. Trump has been threatening military action against the site since mid-July.
The President also addressed the economic fallout from the war, which began in February, noting that the surge in oil and gas prices poses a significant challenge for his party ahead of the November midterm elections. Trump predicted that oil costs would not drop significantly until after the voting takes place.
“Right after the election, oil prices are going to be tumbling downward,” Trump said. “I think it’s going to take a little bit longer than the midterm.”
His comments came as international Brent crude prices jumped more than 3% on Wednesday, surpassing the $100 threshold for the first time since July. The price hike followed escalating military exchanges between the US and Iran.
Meanwhile, CBS reporter Jennifer Jacobs reported on X that multiple American military aircraft were damaged during overnight strikes on the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. One A-10 Thunderbolt aircraft, commonly known as the Warthog, was hit and left missing a wing. Approximately eight F-15 jets sustained light damage but were returned to service.
That A-10 story from Jordan is terrifying. Missing a wing means severe losses. This escalation is spiraling out of control fast.
Pickaxe Mountain? Never heard of it. Is this real? The geo-politics here are getting harder to track with all the secrecy.
Sounds like a convenient timing for price drops. Classic election promise to quiet the voters. We’ll see if it holds true.
Brent past a hundred is huge. If oil stays high till November, midterms will be brutal regardless of who wins.