Washington/Tehran: US President Donald Trump has warned that the United States will launch a major strike on Iran’s reported nuclear facility at Pickaxe Mountain, while the widening conflict has spread across the Middle East, disrupting global shipping routes and raising concerns over energy supplies.
Speaking at the White House, Trump said the US would hit the heavily fortified Pickaxe Mountain site near Iran’s damaged Natanz uranium enrichment facility “very heavily, pretty soon.” He also claimed that Tehran was seeking talks but insisted Washington would only engage if Iran was prepared for “meaningful” negotiations.
The warning comes as US forces carried out fresh strikes on Iranian military targets, including command centres, missile and drone launch sites, air defence systems and maritime facilities. Iranian media reported explosions in several cities, while Iranian health officials said recent US attacks had killed dozens of civilians and injured hundreds.
The conflict has expanded beyond Iran after Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement announced a naval blockade targeting Saudi Arabia, threatening one of the world’s busiest energy shipping routes. In response to the security threat, two Saudi oil tankers carrying crude to Asia reportedly turned back in the Red Sea, highlighting growing risks to global oil supplies.
Oil prices rose amid fears of further disruption, although hopes of renewed diplomatic efforts helped limit gains. The Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait—two strategic maritime chokepoints for global energy trade—remain under intense security concerns.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for attacks on US military positions in Jordan and Bahrain and said it had launched strikes against several regional targets. The claims have not been independently verified, and there was no immediate confirmation from the United States or the affected countries.
Meanwhile, Bahrain activated air raid sirens after fresh Iranian missile and drone attacks, while Jordan reported intercepting several Iranian drones. Kuwait also reported damage to power and desalination facilities following continued strikes.
Amid the escalating conflict, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) called for an immediate halt to hostilities and urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint. Pakistan and Qatar are also reported to be continuing diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring a ceasefire and bringing both sides back to negotiations.
The latest developments have significantly heightened fears of a wider regional conflict, with military confrontations now extending across Iran, the Gulf region, Yemen and key international shipping lanes. Analysts warn that continued escalation could have serious implications for global energy markets, regional stability and international trade.
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