Scoop: Commanders to brief Trump on new Iran military options Thursday
· Axios
President Trump is slated to receive a briefing on new plans for potential military action in Iran on Thursday from CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper, two sources with knowledge tell Axios.
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Why it matters: The briefing signals that Trump is seriously considering resuming major combat operations either to try to break the logjam in negotiations or to deliver a final blow before ending the war.
Behind the scenes: CENTCOM has prepared a plan for a "short and powerful" wave of strikes on Iran — likely including infrastructure targets — in hopes of breaking the negotiating deadlock, three sources with knowledge said.
- The hope would be that Iran would then return to the negotiating table showing more flexibility on the nuclear issue.
- Another plan expected to be shared with Trump is focused on taking over part of the Strait of Hormuz to reopen it to commercial shipping. Such an operation could include ground forces, one source said.
- Another option that has been discussed in the past and might come up in the briefing is a special forces operation to secure Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
State of play: Trump told Axios on Wednesday that he saw the naval blockade on Iran as "somewhat more effective than the bombing."
- Two sources told Axios that Trump currently sees the blockade as his primary source of leverage, but he would consider military action if Iran still won't cave.
- U.S. military planners are also considering the possibility Iran will take military action against U.S. forces in the region in retaliation for the blockade.
Driving the news: Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine is also expected to attend Thursday's briefing, the sources said.
- The White House did not respond to requests for comment.
Flashback: Cooper gave Trump a similar briefing on Feb. 26, two days before the U.S. and Israel launched the war against Iran.
- One source close to Trump said that briefing contributed to Trump's decision to go to war.