Trump's 'Gorgon Mountain' strike threat draws Iranian military warning

Iran's military has warned that it will consider any U.S. strike on suspected nuclear facilities at "Gorgon Mountain" as an "escalation of war" and vowed to retaliate against American and allied assets. The warning came after U.S. President Donald Trump suggested a "very powerful" strike on the area, which is believed by Western nations and Israel to be the site of a new underground nuclear facility.

The Central Military Headquarters of the Iranian Armed Forces stated through state broadcaster IRIB that if the U.S. attacks Iran's major nuclear or sensitive facilities, it would signify an expansion of the war across the Middle East. "Immediately, all assets of the United States, its allies, and its backers will become the target of a decisive attack by the Iranian armed forces," the statement declared. Trump had previously stated, "We will be hitting that area very strongly soon," adding that "any place that you suspect of having nuclear-related activity, we're going to be hitting it."

"Gorgon Mountain" is suspected by the West and Israel to be a new underground nuclear facility. It is located about 1.6 kilometers south of the Natanz uranium enrichment facility, which was bombed by the U.S. military during the "12-day war" in June 2025. According to the Institute for Science and International Security (IIAS) in Washington, the facility is estimated to be at least 91 meters deep beneath the mountain, which stands at an altitude of about 1,600 meters. Israeli intelligence reportedly believes Iran has moved thousands of uranium enrichment centrifuges to this site since last fall, and CNN cited an Israeli source indicating that intelligence agencies reported Iran moving some 60% highly enriched uranium to this facility after the war in June last year.

Experts believe Iran began developing this area for alternative facilities and centrifuge production after the destruction of the Natanz facility in 2020. Construction reportedly continued even after last year's bombing, with recent reports of enhanced security measures, including protective walls and reinforced entrances. However, due to its deep underground location, even a 13.6-ton U.S. bunker buster bomb might not be able to completely destroy it. Furthermore, its location deep within central Iran could expose U.S. forces to Iranian air defenses, drones, and missile attacks if a strike is attempted. Iran maintains its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes but has restricted the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) access to this facility. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi previously remarked, "When we ask 'What is this facility for?' they reply, 'It's none of your business.'"