US President Donald Trump’s administration could launch a nuclear strike on Iran within the next few days, according to claims made by American political commentator and former Fox News host Tucker Carlson. He alleged that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is putting pressure on Trump to authorise an attack on a suspected Iranian nuclear facility. However, no independently verified evidence has emerged to support Carlson’s claims.

In a lengthy post on social media platform X on Sunday night (November 1), Carlson identified ‘Pickaxe Mountain’ in central Iran as a possible target. According to him, Israeli intelligence believes Iran has resumed its uranium enrichment activities at the site. The claim has raised questions about the possibility of renewed military escalation between the United States and Iran.

Carlson is a conservative political commentator who hosted Fox News’ popular programme ‘Tucker Carlson Tonight’ from 2016 to 2023. He now runs his own programme on X, where he regularly discusses US foreign policy, international relations and major geopolitical developments.

According to Carlson, the underground tunnels at Pickaxe Mountain are protected by approximately 300 feet of solid granite. He argued that conventional American weapons would not be capable of effectively striking the facility because of its extensive underground protection. In his assessment, a nuclear strike could become the only remaining military option to destroy the suspected facility.

Referring to Netanyahu’s alleged pressure on Trump, Carlson quoted an unnamed source as saying, “Bibi (Netanyahu) calls Trump about this every day.”

Carlson further claimed that Netanyahu’s efforts to push for additional military action against Iran are partly driven by his desire to maintain political power in Israel. According to Carlson, Netanyahu needs Trump's intervention to secure a majority of 61 seats in the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, following the latest election. Otherwise, he could lose power and potentially face investigations and imprisonment, Carlson alleged.

He also accused Netanyahu of pressuring senior US officials to support the resumption of a major military campaign against Iran. Those reportedly facing pressure include US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Admiral Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command.

Carlson further claimed that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe also agree with Netanyahu’s position. Additionally, he alleged that former US President Barack Obama had opposed a draft peace agreement concerning Iran that was being prepared in Doha, the capital of Qatar.

However, the Trump administration has not announced any decision to launch a nuclear strike against Iran. According to an earlier report by Anadolu Agency, Trump had explicitly ruled out the possibility of using nuclear weapons against Iran during an interview with Newsmax on October 16.

The US administration has also made no official announcement confirming a decision to launch a fresh military operation against Iran. Meanwhile, Iran has denied allegations of conducting nuclear activities at the Pickaxe Mountain site.

Although Carlson’s latest remarks have raised concerns about a possible escalation in the Middle East, the prospect of an imminent nuclear strike remains unconfirmed. His allegations have yet to be independently verified, and no official confirmation has emerged from Washington or Tel Aviv regarding such a plan.