U.S. President Donald Trump says he has delayed a planned military strike on Iran's heavily fortified Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site, citing what he described as renewed hopes for a diplomatic breakthrough.
According to the White House, the decision follows recent diplomatic contacts involving regional mediators, with officials saying there has been enough movement through back-channel communications to justify a temporary pause in military action.
Despite postponing the strike, Trump warned that military options remain available, saying the operation is still "locked and loaded" if negotiations fail to produce meaningful progress.
The Pickaxe Mountain facility has become a major focus of U.S. attention because of its deeply fortified underground infrastructure and its suspected role in Iran's nuclear program.
Regional mediators continue working to reduce tensions, while officials say diplomatic contacts remain active despite significant differences between Washington and Tehran.
The latest developments come amid continuing concerns over regional security, maritime stability, and Iran's nuclear activities, with international observers closely watching whether diplomacy can prevent another military escalation.
For now, negotiations remain underway, but officials acknowledge that the coming days could prove decisive in determining whether the crisis moves toward diplomacy or renewed confrontation.
