The possibility of renewed US military action against Iran is emerging as a major question ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. US President Donald Trump is facing pressure from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to consider fresh strikes on Tehran, while diplomatic efforts to restart negotiations continue through Qatar.
Netanyahu is reportedly seeking immediate US military action after Israel’s recent elections weakened his political position. His bloc secured 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, falling short of the 61 required for a parliamentary majority.
Reports suggest Netanyahu may view renewed military operations against Iran as an opportunity to strengthen his political position and encourage rival factions to consider a unity arrangement. However, these assessments remain speculative.
Trump and Netanyahu Discuss Possible Military Action
According to an Axios report, Trump and Netanyahu discussed the possibility of renewed military operations during a phone conversation on October 31. Israeli and US sources described the discussion differently, with one Israeli source calling it tough and a US source describing it as direct.
Netanyahu reportedly wants Washington to strike Iran immediately after the US midterm elections, while Trump prefers to give diplomacy more time.
Trump has continued to keep military options open, referring to what he called "the big one" and identifying Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain facility as a potential target. Speaking to reporters, he said negotiations were progressing but indicated that the US might still need to address one or two Iranian nuclear sites.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has maintained that Trump has not taken a final decision on further military action and prefers a diplomatic solution.
What Is Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain Facility?
Pickaxe Mountain, also known as Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La, is located around 220 kilometres south of Tehran, near Iran’s Natanz nuclear complex.
The facility is believed to contain deeply buried tunnels associated with Iran’s nuclear programme. According to the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS), construction began in 2020, with the main tunnel complex estimated to be at least 100 metres underground.
Satellite imagery assessments published by the organisation on October 16 indicated that some tunnel entrances remained blocked and roadblocks were still present. The report suggested the facility was not operational at the time of the assessment, although equipment or materials may have been moved inside.
Military Options and Challenges of Striking the Site
A July assessment by the Institute for Science and International Security discussed possible aerial and ground operations against the facility.
An aerial operation could target external infrastructure, including power supplies, ventilation systems and tunnel entrances. However, damaging entrances alone may not permanently destroy the underground complex.
The assessment also discussed the potential use of bunker-busting weapons, including the US GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator. A ground operation would present significant risks to American personnel, particularly because of the facility’s security arrangements and limited information about its internal tunnel network.
These assessments describe potential vulnerabilities and do not establish that Washington has approved an operation.
Nuclear Strike Claims Remain Unverified
Conservative commentator Tucker Carlson has warned that Netanyahu could be pushing the Trump administration towards a nuclear strike on Pickaxe Mountain. Carlson argued that conventional weapons might not be sufficient to destroy the deeply buried facility.
However, he has not provided independently verifiable evidence that the US administration is preparing to use a nuclear weapon.
Carlson, once a prominent Trump supporter, has increasingly criticised the President’s approach to Iran, accusing him of moving away from his America First position.
Qatar-Mediated Talks Continue Between Washington and Tehran
Despite the military pressure, diplomatic efforts to restart negotiations are continuing.
US Vice President JD Vance reportedly sent a letter to Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, regarding the possibility of resuming talks. Rezaei confirmed receiving the letter but had not responded.
Qatari mediators also held discussions with Iranian officials for a third consecutive day on November 1. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the discussions were ongoing but had not produced a final agreement.
Araghchi indicated that a proposal under consideration could allow the Strait of Hormuz to reopen within two days if Washington met Tehran’s conditions.
With Netanyahu pushing for military action and Trump keeping diplomatic and military options open, developments following the November 3 US midterm elections could prove significant for the future of the conflict.
Official Link: US Department of State
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