President Trump said on Monday that the United States may strike what he called Iran's "Pickaxe Mountain" very soon. He did not specify a target or timetable, but the statement marked the latest warning from Washington following recent exchanges of fire between Iran and Israel.
Vice President JD Vance expressed skepticism about a U.S. military operation described in recent reporting, telling journalists he was doubtful that American forces had struck an Iranian wedding party. The remarks suggested division within the administration over the scope and character of recent military actions in the region.
Treasury Secretary Robert Bessent said Iran was lashing out amid mounting economic pressure from U.S. sanctions. He added that the Strait of Hormuz, through which much of the world's oil passes, would become "worthless" to Iran under continued American pressure, a statement apparently aimed at diminishing Tehran's leverage over global energy markets.
A U.S. aircraft carrier completed 286 days at sea and arrived in Thailand for rest and resupply. Meanwhile, Israeli forces continued operations south of what officials call the "yellow line" in Lebanon, expanding their presence beyond a marker previously used to describe operational boundaries in the conflict zone.
The Houthis, an Iran-aligned militia based in Yemen, have expanded their network into the Horn of Africa, according to regional analysts tracking the group's growing reach. The British trade minister separately emphasized solidarity with the United Arab Emirates as tensions persist across the Persian Gulf region.
