US Central Command has prepared a plan for a “short and powerful” wave of strikes on Iran, likely targeting key infrastructure, as Washington looks to break a deadlock in nuclear negotiations, according to a report by Axios.
The plan, described by sources with knowledge of internal deliberations, is designed as a limited but forceful military option that could be deployed if diplomatic efforts stall, it said.
The strikes would be followed by renewed pressure on Tehran to return to the negotiating table and show greater flexibility on U.S. demands regarding its nuclear programme.
However, President Donald Trump has not yet authorised any such military action. As of Tuesday night, no “kinetic” steps had been ordered, with the administration continuing to rely primarily on a naval blockade as its main lever against Iran.
'Blockade more effective than bombing'
In an interview with Axios, Trump indicated he sees the blockade as more effective than immediate military escalation. “The blockade is somewhat more effective than the bombing,” he said, adding that Iran is under increasing economic strain as it struggles to export oil.
The blockade, centred around the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, has become a key point of contention. Iran has proposed reopening the waterway and easing tensions before resuming nuclear talks, but the U.S. has rejected sequencing the steps in that manner, according to the report.
Trump told the American news outlet that negotiations are still underway, but made clear that any agreement would hinge on Iran fully abandoning nuclear weapons ambitions. He also suggested Tehran is seeking a deal to ease the pressure of the blockade, though he showed reluctance to offer concessions without firm guarantees.
At the same time, Iranian officials have pushed back against Washington’s posture. A senior Iranian security source, quoted by state-affiliated media, warned that the ..
From Strait of 'Hormuz' to ‘Trump’?
Amid the escalating standoff, Trump late Wednesday reshared a post on Truth Social proposing to rename the Strait of Hormuz as the “Strait of Trump,” accompanied by a map depicting the key maritime route under the new label.
The image effectively rebranded one of the world’s most strategically sensitive waterways — a narrow passage connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman through which a significant share of global crude oil shipments pa ..
The Strait of Hormuz has long been central to global energy security and a recurring flashpoint in U.S.-Iran relations, making any rhetoric around it particularly consequential in the current climate.
Markets have also reacted to the rising uncertainty. Oil prices climbed on Thursday, with Brent crude reaching its highest level since mid-2022 at $120/barrel amid concerns over a prolonged U.S. blockade on Iranian exports and stalled nuclear negotiations.
Source Name : Economic Times