US President Donald Trump returned from China on Friday, facing mounting pressure over the Iran war, with top aides preparing options for renewed military action against Tehran if diplomacy fails.According to a New York Times report, Pentagon officials have drafted plans for a possible resumption of strikes under a renewed military campaign after “Operation Epic Fury” was paused during the April ceasefire. Trump, however, has not yet made a final decision.“I looked at it, and if I don’t like the first sentence I just throw it away,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One while referring to Iran’s latest peace proposal.The report said US, Israeli and regional officials are trying to broker a compromise that could lead Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, allowing Trump to claim a diplomatic breakthrough amid growing domestic criticism over the costly conflict.
Pentagon prepares escalation options
War secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers this week that the US military had “a plan to escalate if necessary”, while also keeping options open to scale back deployments.The report stated that the Pentagon has prepared multiple military scenarios, including intensified bombing campaigns targeting Iranian military and infrastructure sites.Another option reportedly involves deploying US Special Operations troops to secure highly enriched uranium believed to be stored deep underground at Iran’s Isfahan nuclear facility.As per the New York Times, several hundred Special Operations personnel were moved to the Middle East earlier this year to prepare for such contingencies. However, officials acknowledged that any ground operation would carry “big risks of casualties” and require thousands of support troops.Iran, meanwhile, signalled readiness for renewed hostilities. “Our armed forces are ready to deliver a well-deserved response to any aggression,” Iranian Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said.
Strait of Hormuz remains central concern
The Strait of Hormuz continues to remain at the centre of the crisis, with Iran refusing to fully reopen the key oil transit route while the US maintains its blockade measures.Trump said after talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping that both Washington and Beijing agreed the strait must reopen.“We don’t want them to have a nuclear weapon, we want the straits open,” Trump said while in Beijing.Trump said his patience with Iran was “running out” and warned Tehran to “make a deal”.However, China publicly stopped short of indicating it would pressure Iran directly.Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran remained open to diplomacy but did not trust Washington after previous negotiations were followed by air strikes.
Massive military presence remains in region
More than 50,000 US troops, two aircraft carriers, several destroyers and multiple warplanes remain stationed across the region.US Gen Dan Caine said military officials “retain and continue to hold a range of options for our civilian leaders”, according to the report.Despite weeks of attacks, US intelligence assessments indicate Iran has restored access to most of its missile launch facilities and underground military infrastructure.The report also noted that Tehran has regained operational access to 30 of its 33 missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz.Oil prices continued to rise amid fears of escalation. Brent crude climbed around 3% to nearly $109 a barrel, while concerns over prolonged disruption to Gulf shipping routes pushed US Treasury yields to their highest levels in about a year.
