The commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM) briefed President Donald Trump on potential “final blow” strike options against Iran, Fox News reported on Thursday.
Admiral Brad Cooper presented the possible options during a briefing with Trump in the Situation Room, outlining a “short and powerful wave of strikes” should the president decide to resume combat operations.
The assessed targets reportedly include Iran’s “remaining military assets, leadership and infrastructure,” the broadcaster added.
The Pentagon is also considering deploying advanced weapons systems, including a new hypersonic missile known as “Dark Eagle,” according to Fox News.
The broadcaster said the system is capable of striking targets up to 3,200 kilometres away, potentially targetting remaining ballistic missile launchers.
It added that B-1B Lancer bombers that can be armed with up to 2 200 kgs of hypersonics have been increasing their presence in the region and can carry “big payloads.”
The US and Israel began strikes on Iran on February 28, prompting retaliation from Tehran against US allies in the Gulf and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
A ceasefire was announced on April 8 through Pakistani mediation, followed by talks in Islamabad on April 11-12, but an agreement could not be reached.
Trump later unilaterally extended the truce without setting a new time frame at Pakistan’s request.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration is seeking to build an international coalition to restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz as vessel traffic through the critical waterway remains stalled amid the ongoing US-Iran standoff.
The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the story, cited an internal State Department cable sent to US embassies, reported that Washington has asked its diplomats to press foreign governments into joining a new alliance called the “Maritime Freedom Construct”, which would coordinate information sharing, diplomatic efforts and sanctions enforcement to reopen the Strait.
“Your participation will strengthen our collective ability to restore freedom of navigation and protect the global economy,” the cable reportedly says.
When asked for confirmation, a State Department official told Anadolu that the Maritime Freedom Construct (MFC) will take “steps to ensure safe passage, including providing real-time information, safety guidance, and coordination to ensure vessels can transit these waters securely”.
The official added that MFC’s efforts will enhance maritime domain awareness and support the safe passage of commercial operators and their crews.
“The State-led component, based in Washington, DC, will serve as the diplomatic operations hub, uniting partners and the commercial shipping industry. It will provide a platform to coordinate diplomatic actions and socialise and align economic measures designed to impose costs on Iran for disrupting maritime security,” the official added.
The initiative comes weeks after President Donald Trump declared the strait “COMPLETELY OPEN AND READY FOR BUSINESS,” only for ship traffic to remain largely stalled. Iran has sought to lay mines and attack tankers transitting the waterway without Tehran’s approval, while the US has enforced a blockade on all vessels heading to or from Iranian ports.
The Strait’s future has become a central sticking point in stalled peace negotiations, with Trump reportedly telling aids Monday to prepare for an extended blockade until Iran agrees to abandon its nuclear programme. – AA