Trump Deploys Troops to Hormuz, Plans Bombing of ‘Pickaxe Mountain’ in Iran Strategy

New Military Posture in the Gulf

US President Donald Trump has ordered American troops to positions in the Hormuz islands and is planning a bombing campaign targeting a facility referred to as ‘Pickaxe Mountain’, according to multiple reports. The move marks a sharp escalation in Washington's standoff with Tehran.

The deployment to the Hormuz islands—a strategic chokepoint for global oil shipments—signals a direct military posture. Details of the ‘Pickaxe Mountain’ target remain unclear, but sources indicate it is linked to Iran's nuclear or missile program.

Trump has also resumed a naval blockade of Iranian ports and threatened strikes on energy infrastructure. The administration's language has grown increasingly bellicose in recent days, with the president warning Tehran to ‘behave’.

Diplomatic Mixed Signals

Despite the military buildup, Trump has also claimed that Iran wants to negotiate with the United States. ‘Iran wants talks,’ he said, while simultaneously tightening the economic and military noose. This contradictory approach has puzzled analysts.

‘You can't bomb someone and expect them to negotiate on your terms,’ a former US diplomat told reporters, speaking on condition of anonymity. The strategy risks repeating mistakes of past Middle East conflicts, critics warn.

Tehran has not formally responded to the latest moves. However, Iranian officials have previously stated they will not engage in talks under the ‘shadow of threats’.

Regional Reaction and Oil Markets

The Hormuz islands deployment has already sent ripples through global energy markets. Oil prices spiked on Thursday as traders priced in the risk of supply disruption through the Strait of Hormuz.

India, which imports a significant portion of its crude from the Gulf, is watching the situation closely. New Delhi has maintained a policy of strategic autonomy, balancing ties with both Washington and Tehran.

Neighbouring Gulf states have not publicly endorsed the US plan. Saudi Arabia and the UAE have historically supported American pressure on Iran but remain wary of a full-blown conflict on their doorstep.

Repeating Old Mistakes?

Trump's approach draws comparisons to previous US administrations' Iran strategies, which often oscillated between diplomacy and force. The ‘maximum pressure’ campaign of his first term crippled Iran's economy but did not change its nuclear calculus.

‘This is a high-risk gamble,’ said an expert quoted by Reuters. The blockade and bombing plan could provoke Iranian retaliation against US assets or regional allies, potentially spiraling into a wider war.

Trump, however, remains confident. ‘We are winning big in Iran,’ he said, promising results ‘very, very shortly.’ The White House has not provided evidence for this claim.

What comes next: All eyes are on Iran's response, expected in the coming days, and whether diplomatic backchannels can prevent a military confrontation in the Gulf.