Washington DC, April 30 (ANI) — CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper is scheduled to brief President Donald Trump on a set of new military options regarding Iran, Axios reports. The options come as a fragile ceasefire remains stalled and US planners weigh ways to increase pressure on Tehran.
According to Axios, the proposals under consideration include: a “short and powerful” series of strikes against Iranian infrastructure intended to break the stalemate; an operation to seize control of the Strait of Hormuz and reopen it for commercial shipping; and missions by special operations forces to secure Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine is also expected to attend the briefing, sources told Axios, as senior military leaders review the plans and their possible consequences.
In an exclusive interview with Axios, President Trump said the naval blockade being used to pressure Iran over its nuclear program would continue. He described the blockade as more effective than bombing and warned Iran it could face further measures if it refuses to negotiate. “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,” he told Axios.
Axios also reported that Trump rejected a recent Iranian proposal to first reopen the Strait of Hormuz and lift the blockade before beginning nuclear talks. He told reporters Iran must address US concerns before any easing of restrictions and that military action remained a possibility if Tehran declines to negotiate.
A report from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) cited by Axios says Tehran is unlikely to accept US demands on the Strait of Hormuz. The ISW analysis says hardline views advanced by IRGC commander Major General Ahmad Vahidi now hold sway in Tehran, making concessions over control of the Strait or its nuclear program improbable. Mainstream Iranian politicians, the ISW added, appear to be coalescing around avoiding nuclear discussions until the US lifts the naval blockade on Iranian ports.
The ISW noted there is limited opposition to Vahidi within other regime factions and suggested Tehran might try to reframe control of the Strait by proposing a partnership with Oman to collect tolls on shipping. That approach could let Iran present a “new proposal” to the US without abandoning core positions, the study said.
Speaking Wednesday, Trump called the naval pressure campaign “genius,” praising the US Navy’s role and saying the blockade demonstrated US military strength. “The blockade is genius. The blockade has been 100% foolproof. It shows how good our Navy is,” he said.
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