Trump Threatens Imminent Strike on Iran's 'Mount Chisel' Nuclear Facility

U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Tehran, stating that American forces may soon attack the "Mount Chisel" nuclear facility in Iran. Speaking with reporters in the Oval Office, Trump clarified that the key target could be attacked in the immediate future, emphasizing that the U.S. will not permit the Islamic Republic to acquire nuclear weapons. He characterized the potential action as a "limited military confrontation" rather than a full-scale war, downplaying its significance compared to past conflicts.

Trump's remarks came in response to a reporter's question about whether renewed strikes indicated an escalation into war, especially given the cost in American lives and prolonged troop deployment. He contrasted the current five-month operation, which he claimed has prevented Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, with the Vietnam War, which resulted in tens of thousands of casualties over many years.

Trump's threats align with Israeli intelligence assessments that Iran has transferred thousands of centrifuges to the fortified "Mount Chisel" site following a recent 12-day war. Experts warn of a significant danger, particularly after satellite imagery revealed renewed activity at the facility. "Mount Chisel," located about 220 kilometers south of Tehran and two kilometers from the Natanz facility, is buried approximately 100 meters underground beneath a 1,300-meter mountain, shielded by massive granite rock formations. This extreme fortification has prevented previous attacks.

David Albright, a leading expert on Iran's nuclear program, expressed grave concern over the facility, telling N12 News that it could house both a centrifuge production array and an enrichment plant. He warned that a fully operational enrichment plant could be assembled within three months, potentially utilizing tons of uranium already enriched to 5% at nearby Natanz. Albright stressed that the site poses a risk requiring diplomatic or military intervention, but Iran's refusal to allow inspectors renders the diplomatic channel ineffective. A military strike would be significantly more complex than previous operations, requiring detailed engineering plans, similar to those obtained for the Fordow facility after Israel seized nuclear archives. Albright cautioned that leaving the site unaddressed would allow Iran to rebuild its air and missile defense systems, increasing the cost of any future attack, and estimated Iran's breakout time to a nuclear bomb is currently about one year.