WASHINGTON, November 2, 2026: US President Donald Trump may authorize a nuclear strike against Iran by November 7 amid reported pressure from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to claims made by senior American journalist and political commentator Tucker Carlson.
In a post on social media platform X, Carlson claimed that the Trump administration was considering a nuclear attack on a suspected underground Iranian nuclear facility in central Iran. He suggested that a decision could come within days, although no official confirmation has emerged from Washington regarding plans for such an operation.
Carlson identified the potential target as Pickaxe Mountain, where Israeli intelligence reportedly believes Iran has resumed uranium enrichment activities.
According to the American journalist, the facility is located beneath approximately 300 feet of solid granite, making it difficult for conventional US weapons to penetrate the underground tunnels.
He argued that the limitations of conventional military capabilities could lead Washington to consider nuclear weapons as an option for destroying the suspected facility.
Carlson further claimed that Netanyahu was in daily contact with Trump and was seeking American support to maintain his political position while pressing for continued military operations against Iran.
Referring to recent Israeli election results, he said Netanyahu needed the support of at least 61 members of the Knesset to form a government.
The journalist suggested that Trump might be required to intervene in Israeli political negotiations to help Netanyahu secure parliamentary support.
Carlson claimed that Netanyahu could face serious political and legal consequences if he failed to retain power, including investigations and possible imprisonment.
He linked these concerns to what he described as Netanyahu’s determination to continue the confrontation with Iran.
The American commentator also claimed that Netanyahu had sought support from senior US defence officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and US Central Command chief Brad Cooper, to resume major military operations against Iran.
He further suggested that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe supported the Israeli leader’s position.
Carlson also claimed that some Democratic Party figures favoured Netanyahu’s approach and that former US President Barack Obama had opposed an Iran peace proposal being developed in Doha.
These claims concerning private political discussions and the positions of senior officials have not been independently established.
Discussing regional developments, Carlson claimed that Netanyahu had secretly visited Abu Dhabi on September 27 to seek the United Arab Emirates’ support for a major military strike against Iran.
According to the journalist, Emirati officials declined to support the proposal amid concerns about the consequences of further regional escalation.
Carlson warned that the prolonged conflict had already affected Gulf economies, global energy supplies and international fertilizer markets.
He claimed that 11 major oil tankers had suffered serious damage in the Strait of Hormuz during October, raising concerns about the security of one of the world’s most important maritime energy routes.
The journalist also highlighted the potential environmental consequences of a nuclear attack on an underground Iranian facility.
He warned that a nuclear explosion at Pickaxe Mountain could release radioactive material into the Persian Gulf and threaten water supplies serving approximately 100 million people.
Carlson argued that the use of nuclear weapons against Iran could establish a dangerous precedent and increase the possibility of similar actions by other nuclear-armed countries.
He claimed that Russia had already indicated to at least two governments that an American nuclear strike on Iran could provide justification for the use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine.
The journalist also raised concerns about the possibility of nuclear escalation between Pakistan and India, as well as between North Korea and South Korea.
He warned that the use of a nuclear weapon in the current confrontation could significantly increase the risk of a wider international conflict.
Carlson further claimed that the Trump administration had quietly revised aspects of US nuclear policy since February to make the first use of limited battlefield nuclear weapons easier.
However, the reported claims did not include official documentation confirming such policy changes.
Despite the concerns, Carlson said Trump had not made a final decision and was still considering arguments from senior administration officials who supported a diplomatic solution.
He identified Vice President JD Vance and US special envoy Steve Witkoff as officials encouraging negotiations with Iran rather than further military escalation.
The journalist acknowledged that reaching an agreement with Tehran would be difficult, particularly following the reported deaths of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and members of his family in February.
He said those developments had strengthened hardline positions within parts of the Iranian leadership and complicated diplomatic engagement with Washington.
Nevertheless, Carlson claimed that individuals maintaining contact with Iranian decision-makers believed further military confrontation would not serve either country’s interests.
He suggested that a negotiated settlement remained possible despite the continuing tensions.
Concluding his remarks, Carlson urged the international community to recognise the potentially far-reaching consequences of a nuclear confrontation.
He warned that any decision to use nuclear weapons against Iran could affect global security, regional stability and future generations.
The November 7 date cited by Carlson remains an unconfirmed projection, and the US administration has not publicly announced any decision to launch a nuclear strike against Iran.