Trump Names Pickaxe Mountain as Possible Iran Strike Target

President Donald Trump named Pickaxe Mountain as a possible target for further U.S. military action against Iran, saying on October 31 that one or two sites remained to be addressed. His remarks did not amount to an order to strike: Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Trump had not decided whether to launch fresh attacks and that Washington remained open to diplomacy. Speaking to reporters at his Florida residence, Trump described Pickaxe Mountain as a suspected underground nuclear complex and said the United States could deal with it quickly. He also said negotiations with Tehran were progressing, while questioning whether Iran would honor an agreement. His comments repeated earlier public warnings about the site, but did not establish that an attack had been approved or scheduled. Rubio, speaking separately on Saturday, said the decision rested with Trump and that the administration preferred a diplomatic outcome. He said the United States remained open to a diplomatic solution. Rubio declined to specify a deadline for talks, according to one account of his remarks. The administration’s position, as stated by Rubio, leaves military action possible but does not confirm that...