Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Washington for a meeting with President Donald Trump, which took place this morning. Ynet reports that following the talks, Trump warned that the United States could strike Pickaxe Mountain in Iran—a backup nuclear site where the regime reportedly moved thousands of uranium-enrichment centrifuges during the 12-day war last June.
Ahead of the meeting, Trump told Fox News that Pickaxe Mountain, the secret nuclear site where Israeli intelligence believes Iran has transferred centrifuges, was “not a big problem.”
Asked whether Netanyahu had spoken to him about work taking place at the site, Trump replied: “I don’t need Bibi to tell me that. Bibi’s telling me that because he wants me to stay involved.”
“I know exactly what’s going on at Pickaxe. It’s not a big problem. We took out their nuclear sites, and we’ll have to take out Pickaxe if we don’t make a deal. We don’t make a deal, we’ll take it out very easily,” he said.
Trump also said the United States could quickly destroy Iranian bridges and power plants but stressed that he hoped to avoid doing so.
“It’s a very, very delicate balance. So, I think we have a very strong position right now. They know I’m going to do that if they don’t make a deal,” he said. “We cannot have them break deals anymore. We have had some very good talks,” Trump added.
Trump has continued to speak positively about negotiations with Iran, while the Iranian regime has denied that any talks have taken place this week. Tehran’s most recent announcement warned that any country or entity receiving frozen Iranian assets as compensation for damaged ships would not be allowed passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Oman and Qatar are continuing efforts to revive mediation.
The IDF, while preparing the pilot zones for its withdrawal from Lebanon, is also increasing counterterrorism operations in the West Bank after two Israelis were killed. There are now 26 IDF battalions deployed throughout the region.
The Fellowship and our supporters pray for wisdom and resolve for the American and Israeli leaders during this delicate time, and that all parties will return to the negotiating table. We also pray for the safety of the IDF soldiers serving on their peacekeeping mission.