President Donald Trump has been receiving options for expanding the military operation in Iran, according to two people familiar with the matter. This comes as the US has carried out daily strikes on Iranian positions along the Strait of Hormuz.
Military Operations
Trump has publicly stated his intention to strike Iran harder over the coming week, including threats on civilian infrastructure and potentially energy targets. The strikes are intended to degrade Iran’s ability to prevent commercial vessels from transiting the waterway.
Behind the scenes, he has been discussing various scenarios for future military action with senior officials, hoping to identify ways to pressure Iran into submitting to US demands after existing efforts have failed to bring Tehran to heel.
Potential Targets
According to the two officials, Trump is now weighing an operation to take Kharg Island, the critical Iranian export hub, and to bomb underground complexes at Pickaxe Mountain, believed to be connected to Iran’s nuclear program.
Trump affirmed his interest in both targets during interviews this week, though he suggested a ground operation to take Kharg may fall to another country. Vice President JD Vance, the administration’s lead negotiator with Iran, said the war will not be won through military force alone.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
