US military seeks 'creative' ways to pressure Iran

The US Central Command (Centcom) has directed military analysts to come up with “new creative and unconventional ways to pressure and punish Iran” as Washington weighs alternative strategies to push Tehran back to the negotiating table, CNN reported.

According to sources familiar with the matter, a senior officer in Centcom’s intelligence division circulated an email last week to a wide group of military analysts seeking fresh ideas. The outreach reflects a broader reassessment of US military strategy as officials examine options beyond conventional airstrikes.

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The email, sent on Wednesday, specifically requested proposals for new ways to increase pressure on Iran, CNN reported. A second source said Centcom was undertaking a wider review of its operational approach.

Responding to the report, a Centcom spokesperson said the command has “a long history of thinking and working in innovative ways”. The spokesperson added that Adm Cooper, the Centcom commander, routinely invites ideas from personnel across all ranks to enhance operational effectiveness.

The move comes as US President Donald Trump considers whether to resume or expand military strikes against Iran. While Trump had recently threatened additional attacks, he stepped back over the weekend following appeals for de-escalation from regional leaders, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The US has been conducting weeks of airstrikes aimed at weakening Iran’s ability to threaten maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and compelling Tehran to return to negotiations. However, the campaign has yet to secure the agreement Washington is seeking.

US intelligence agencies have meanwhile expressed scepticism over the effectiveness of continued bombing. According to CNN, both the CIA and the Defense Intelligence Agency have assessed that the ongoing air campaign is unlikely to significantly alter Iran’s negotiating stance.

Despite those assessments, Trump has continued to examine options for a broader military offensive, including renewed strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Two sources familiar with US planning told CNN that the military has been preparing contingency plans for possible attacks on Pickaxe Mountain and other locations believed to house nuclear material or equipment.

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Some of these facilities are buried deep underground, making them difficult to destroy through air power alone. Any attempt to eliminate them completely could require deploying ground forces — a step Trump has so far been reluctant to take given the risks involved.

Among the options under consideration is a one-to-two-week intensive bombing campaign targeting Iran’s missile capabilities, US officials told CNN. Trump has not approved such an escalation, partly because of concerns raised by Caine over dwindling US stocks of air-defence interceptors.

Officials have also cautioned that expanding strikes to include key infrastructure, such as bridges and desalination facilities, could lead to significant civilian casualties.

Another option under discussion involves deploying US ground troops. Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of occupying strategic locations such as Kharg Island or securing Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium. However, such a move could undermine his longstanding pledge to avoid committing American forces to prolonged overseas wars.

Trump has frequently criticised the prolonged military interventions undertaken by previous US administrations. Officials have warned that an extended cycle of US strikes and Iranian retaliation could instead draw Washington into another protracted conflict.

“I think we just want to win,” Trump said at a Cabinet meeting on Friday when asked about ending the war. He added that the US would continue hitting Iran until Tehran eventually decided it could no longer withstand the pressure.

(With TOI inputs)