President Donald Trump on Monday accused the «fake news» media of wanting the United States to lose its military campaign against Iran, while threatening another wave of strikes against Tehran and specifically targeting a heavily fortified underground complex near Iran's Natanz uranium enrichment facility. In an interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, Trump argued that Iran's military had been decimated but continued to receive favorable news coverage, singling out The New York Times for what he described as misleading reporting.
«All they do is talk and they have fake press. They do very well with the fake press, but because the fake news wants us to lose,» Trump said. The president claimed that The New York Times had recently reported that Iran was in a stronger position than before the U.S.-Israeli military campaign began, a characterization he dismissed as inaccurate. «It's not even, I mean, The New York Times, they actually said a week ago — I can't imagine they say it now, but think of it. They have no Navy, have no Air Force, have no anything. They have no military, they have nothing,» Trump said.
Trump also cited surging inflation in Iran, which he said had reached 301% from 5%, as evidence that the country was under severe economic strain. He continued his criticism of the Times, saying the newspaper had claimed Iran was in better shape than before the campaign began. «And the Times said, and their inflation, by the way, just hit 301%, from 5%. They said, 'Oh, they're in better shape now than they were four months ago before I started,'» Trump said. He did not identify the specific Times article or author he was referencing.
The president warned that additional American attacks were imminent following renewed exchanges of missile and drone strikes between the two countries. «We're going to hit them very hard tonight, and we're going to hit them hard tomorrow, and there's not a damn thing they can do about it,» Trump said. He specifically floated striking Pickaxe Mountain, a heavily fortified underground complex near Iran's damaged Natanz uranium enrichment facility. «Pickaxe is a possible, you know, a possible target for a nice big fat shot right near the front door,» he said.
Trump said American surveillance capabilities were tracking the location and claimed Iran had not resumed nuclear development there. «We're watching it closely. We see no activity there. They're not doing well with their nuclear. Every time we hear about it, we blow it up, so they don't like talking about it, but we'll probably give Pickaxe a shot relatively soon,» Trump said. According to Reuters, Pickaxe Mountain contains two deeply buried tunnel complexes that experts assess may be beyond the reach of the powerful bunker-busting bombs in the U.S. arsenal. International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors had never been granted access to the site, and analysis of satellite imagery from late June showed vehicle activity near the western tunnel entrances, suggesting possible continuing construction or fortification work.
Trump also argued that Iran's leaders could not be trusted with nuclear weapons. «And frankly, if they ever had a nuclear weapon, they'd use it within one day,» Trump said. His remarks came as U.S. Central Command announced that it would resume its blockade of vessels traveling to or from Iranian ports on Tuesday. The military said humanitarian shipments would be allowed through but warned that force could be used against ships that failed to comply.
The president's comments reflect the escalating rhetoric and military posture between the United States and Iran, as the Trump administration continues to pursue a strategy of maximum pressure through economic sanctions and military strikes. Critics have questioned the effectiveness of the campaign, but Trump maintained that Iran was on the ropes and that the media's coverage was undermining U.S. efforts. The situation remains fluid, with the potential for further strikes and diplomatic fallout in the coming days.
