BlockBeats news: On September 10, U.S. President Trump warned Iran on September 9 local time not to conduct any further activities at the suspected nuclear facility, Pickaxe Mountain, or face a "very strong" strike. Trump stated that the U.S. has observed recent "activity" at the site.
Recent satellite image analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) shows that road activity at Pickaxe Mountain has reached historic levels this year, with significant increases in construction activity. The site may now have shifted from underground excavation to internal construction and perimeter reinforcement. The location is approximately 2 kilometers from the severely damaged Natanz nuclear facility, but CSIS has been unable to confirm whether Iran has relocated nuclear infrastructure, such as centrifuges, to this site.
Meanwhile, attacks surrounding the Strait of Hormuz between the U.S. and Iran continue to escalate. Iran claims to have launched ballistic missiles at a U.S. military base in Jordan and targeted ten vessels near the Strait of Hormuz; the U.S. Central Command stated that it previously destroyed five Iranian oil tankers in response to two ballistic missile attacks by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on U.S. warships.
The Strait of Hormuz carries about 20% of global oil shipments, and successive attacks have raised concerns over supply disruptions. Brent crude briefly rose above $100 per barrel and is currently trading at $99.19.
Trump also stated that the U.S.-Iran war may not end until after the November midterm elections and said Iran "cannot hold out much longer."