WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened to strike one of Iran’s most heavily fortified underground nuclear facilities as fresh US airstrikes triggered air defence systems over Tehran, signalling a sharp escalation in a conflict that has already cost Washington $37.5 billion and shows little sign of ending.
The latest US attacks struck military logistics infrastructure across Iran, according to the US military.
At the same time, Iranian state media reported air defence activity in western, eastern and northeastern parts of the capital. The renewed bombardment came as Trump declared the United States was “not finished” with the war and indicated that the underground Pickaxe Mountain complex near Natanz could be the next target.
Trump Targets Underground Nuclear Site
Trump singled out the deeply buried Pickaxe Mountain facility, which Western intelligence agencies suspect is being developed as an undeclared uranium enrichment site, as a potential target for future US strikes.
Iran hasn’t seen anything yet. pic.twitter.com/Q46oHTco7C
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 21, 2026
“If we left right now, it would take Iran 20, 25 years to rebuild,” Trump said. “We’re not finished at all… we’re not leaving right now.”
The Pentagon said the latest strikes were aimed at further degrading Iran’s military capabilities and its ability to threaten commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
War Costs Soar
The renewed offensive comes amid mounting political pressure on Trump ahead of November’s congressional elections.
Anti-war activists heckled US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a Senate hearing on Tuesday, condemning the attack on Iran and urging an end to the military campaign. pic.twitter.com/v9g6our08L
— IRNA News Agency ☫ (@IrnaEnglish) July 22, 2026
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers this week that the conflict has already cost the United States $37.5 billion, while defending the Pentagon’s request for tens of billions of dollars in additional emergency military funding.
Iran Threatens Wider Retaliation
Iran warned that any attack on sensitive facilities would trigger a broader regional response.
The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said Tehran would consider strikes on sites such as Pickaxe Mountain an expansion of the war and warned it would target American interests, as well as those of US allies and supporters.
Iran also intensified military pressure on Gulf states after the Houthis threatened to blockade Gulf ports.
Gulf States Face New Attacks
Kuwait said its air defences intercepted Iranian drones on Wednesday, while Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait reported shooting down drones and missiles during the latest wave of attacks.
The Iranian military said it had targeted US military assets in Kuwait and Bahrain, including radar systems, air defence installations and administrative facilities.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that further drone and missile attacks would follow.
Houthi Threat Raises Shipping Fears
Trump also warned Yemen’s Houthis against carrying out their threat to blockade Gulf ports.
“If something like that happens, we take care of it,” Trump said.
Saudi Arabia condemned the threat, while maritime intelligence reports indicated that two oil tankers reversed course in the Red Sea after loading crude at the Saudi port of Yanbu, highlighting growing concerns over commercial shipping.
Meanwhile, the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency reported that a tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile off the coast of Oman, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed two tankers attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz had been hit by explosions and forced to halt.
Diplomatic Contacts Continue
Despite the escalating military confrontation, diplomatic efforts remain underway.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said indirect contacts with Washington through mediators were continuing.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during a meeting with Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, called on all parties to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could further destabilise the region.
