Washington, DC [US], April 30 (ANI): CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper is set to brief U.S. President Donald Trump as the U.S. military considers a new wave of military operations in Iran, news outlet Axios reported. The potential operations indicate Washington’s willingness to escalate pressure on Tehran amid a fragile ceasefire.
According to Axios, the briefing pertains to a plan prepared by CENTCOM involving a “short and powerful” wave of strikes on Iran, likely targeting infrastructure, as the ceasefire has reached a stalemate.
Another option under consideration includes taking control of the Strait of Hormuz and reopening it to commercial shipping. The plan also reportedly involves a special forces operation to secure Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine is also expected to attend Thursday’s briefing, sources told Axios.
Earlier, in an exclusive interview with Axios, Trump indicated that the blockade, which is being used as a key tool to pressure Iran over its nuclear program, would continue.
“The blockade is somewhat more effective than the bombing. They are choking like a stuffed pig. And it is going to be worse for them. They can’t have a nuclear weapon,” Trump told Axios.
According to the report, Trump rejected Iran’s proposal to first reopen the Strait of Hormuz and lift the blockade before holding nuclear talks. Instead, he has insisted that Iran address U.S. concerns before any easing of restrictions.
The report added that while Trump currently views the blockade as his primary leverage, he could consider military action if Iran does not agree to negotiations.
Meanwhile, a study by the think tank Institute for the Study of War indicated that Tehran is unlikely to make further concessions in its latest proposals to the United States regarding the Strait of Hormuz. According to the analysis, the hardline position advocated by IRGC chief Major General Ahmad Vahidi is now the dominant view in Tehran.
The analysis stated that Iran appears unwilling to concede control over the Strait of Hormuz and its nuclear program. Mainstream Iranian politicians are consolidating around a position that avoids discussing the nuclear issue before the United States lifts the naval blockade on Iranian ports.
The Institute for the Study of War also noted limited opposition to Vahidi within other factions of the Islamic regime. The analysis suggested that Iran may be attempting to modify and legitimize its plan to assert sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz by involving Oman in a scheme to collect tolls on shipping through the strait. This would allow Iran to present a “new proposal” to the United States without compromising its core positions.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday described the U.S. naval blockade against Iran as “genius,” asserting that Tehran would have to concede defeat while ruling out any agreement unless it abandons its nuclear ambitions.
“The blockade is genius. The blockade has been 100% foolproof. It shows how good our Navy is. Nobody’s going to play games. We have the greatest military in the world, and I built much of it during my first term. We’ve been building it since, and it is the greatest anywhere in the world—nobody even close,” Trump said. (ANI)
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