US President Donald Trump is set to receive a briefing on Thursday from the head of the United States Central Command (Centcom), General Brad Cooper, on new plans for possible military action against Iran, according to a report by Axios published on Wednesday.
The report, which cited unnamed sources, said that the White House and Centcom did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
According to the report, Centcom has developed a plan involving a “short and powerful” wave of strikes on Iran, likely targeting key infrastructure. The details were shared by sources familiar with the matter.
A fragile ceasefire in the Iran war has been in place for the past three weeks.
The conflict began on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran. Tehran responded with strikes on Israel and Gulf states hosting US bases. Subsequent US-Israeli strikes on Iran, along with Israeli attacks in Lebanon, have resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions.
Trump has previously threatened to target Iran’s civilian infrastructure. However, international law experts warn that such actions could amount to war crimes. The Geneva Conventions prohibit attacks on facilities considered essential for civilian life.
Another option expected to be presented during the briefing involves taking control of parts of the Strait of Hormuz to restore commercial shipping. The report noted that such an operation could involve the deployment of ground forces.
The ongoing conflict, which remains unpopular within the United States, has disrupted global markets and pushed oil prices higher. It has also severely affected traffic through the Strait of Hormuz — a critical chokepoint through which about 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments pass — bringing activity there close to a standstill.
Washington is reportedly hoping that increased pressure will make Iran more flexible in negotiations over its nuclear programme, according to the report.
Another option likely to be discussed is a special forces operation aimed at securing Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
Trump has repeatedly described Iran’s nuclear programme as an immediate threat. Tehran, however, denies seeking nuclear weapons and maintains that it has the right to pursue nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, including uranium enrichment, as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
The report added that Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, is also expected to attend Thursday’s briefing.