What is Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain, the mystery site Trump warns he’ll attack?

Al Jazeera | July 14, 2026

As the attacks between the United States and Iran are escalating and heading towards an unprecedented and unpredictable stage, US President Donald Trump made new threats to attack and destroy Iran’s nuclear site known as “Pickaxe Mountain”. … Tehran, however, has maintained since construction at the site began in 2020 that the facility is intended solely for assembling and manufacturing advanced centrifuges. “We’re going to take out Pickaxe Mountain. Tell the Iranians to be ready,” President Trump said during an interview with The Hugh Hewitt Show.

China detains US seismologist who has studied North Korean nuclear tests

Jonathan Landay | Reuters

Chinese-born American seismologist who has published U.S.-funded work on detecting North Korean nuclear tests has been detained in China for nearly two years and faces trial on spying charges, according to his wife, U.S. lawmakers and two hostage advocacy ​groups. The case of Youlin Chen, reported here for the first time, adds an irritant to the tense relationship between the nuclear-armed rivals and comes as President Donald Trump seeks to keep the relationship steady following last year's trade war.

Gov. Sherrill signs bill starting nuclear power procurement

Nikita Biryukov | New Jersey Monitor
Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed legislation Monday ordering the state’s energy regulators to begin procuring at least one new nuclear power plant to meet rising energy demand over the next decade. The bill, which cleared both legislative chambers in unanimous votes last month, directs the Board of Public Utilities to begin soliciting expressions of interest to construct nuclear generation with the aim of bringing 1,100 megawatts of new power to New Jersey. The measure has faced criticism some quarters over nuclear subsidies that could increase residents’ electricity bills.

Trump says a nuclear renaissance is coming. The deals aren’t.

Evan Halper | Washington Post

As the Trump administration rolled out a cascade of purported breakthroughs that will revive nuclear power, its most audacious announcement came in October, when it unveiled a plan to build a fleet of massive legacy reactors — with Japan poised to foot much of the bill. Under the terms shared by the Commerce Department, tens of billions of dollars promised to flow from Japan toward 10 new Westinghouse AP1000 reactors … Eight months after this partnership was unveiled, Japan has yet to commit money to a single large reactor.

Stop Overreacting to China’s Missile Test

Decker Eveleth | Foreign Policy

At 12:01 p.m. local time on July 6, China fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from the South China Sea, flying roughly 4,500 miles over open water before splashing down near the Solomon Islands. The test—the first such one in decades—involved a missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads and immediately prompted speculation that Beijing was attempting to send a message, either to signal its strength or its displeasure toward states in the region. Some Australian analysts even argued that the test was a direct response to Australia’s surprise defense treaty with Fiji, which was signed that day.

What Kind of Nuclear Relationship Should the United States Seek With Russia and China?

Lowell Schwartz | Orbis

The most consequential nuclear challenge US policymakers face is determining what kind of nuclear relationship with Russia and China is desirable and/or possible in an era of heightened competition and conflict. Choices the United States makes about its nuclear relations with its most powerful adversaries will have a profound impact on its overall bilateral relations with them and should shape any assessment of the proper size and posture of US nuclear forces.