Washington:US political commentator Tucker Carlson has made a controversial claim that the Trump administration could be on the verge of launching a nuclear strike on Iran. Carlson alleges that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is exerting pressure on President Donald Trump to authorize an attack on a suspected nuclear site in central Iran.
According to Anadolu Agency – English, Carlson's assertions were shared in a detailed post on the social media platform X. He specifically identified the potential target as Pickaxe Mountain, where Israeli intelligence is believed to suspect Iran has resumed its nuclear enrichment activities. Carlson, who transitioned from hosting a Fox News program to independently commenting on policy issues, stated that the only viable military option due to the site's fortified underground tunnels would be a nuclear strike.
Carlson claims that Netanyahu's political survival is tied to US military intervention, suggesting that securing a majority in the Israeli Knesset is critical for Netanyahu following recent election results. He further alleges that Netanyahu has been lobbying senior US officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and US Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper, to resume significant combat operations. Additionally, Carlson mentions that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe are reportedly aligned with Netanyahu's stance.
Concerns about regional escalation were also highlighted by Carlson, noting that US allies in the Middle East are apprehensive about the potential for renewed conflict. He claimed that Netanyahu's secretive visit to Abu Dhabi aimed to garner support from the UAE for an attack on Iran, a request that was declined by Emirati officials. Carlson warned of dire economic impacts, citing damage to global energy markets and the risk of ecological contamination from a nuclear explosion at the site.
Carlson concluded by stressing the potential global ramifications of a nuclear strike, including the possibility of triggering broader nuclear conflicts involving countries like Russia, Ukraine, India, Pakistan, and North Korea. He highlighted the urgency for international public intervention, as decisions made could threaten millions of lives.
The Trump administration's stance was further complicated by recent remarks from Trump himself, who indicated that Iranian nuclear facilities, including Pickaxe Mountain, remain potential targets, although he did not confirm the authorization of a nuclear strike. Trump has previously ruled out the use of nuclear weapons against Iran in a Newsmax interview, but speculation continues about the administration's military intentions.
Meanwhile, the Iranian government has denied any nuclear activities at the Pickaxe Mountain site, with its supreme leader issuing warnings against further US or Israeli attacks.