CENTCOM command has completed drafting a military operation plan that foresees a series of short, powerful strikes on key targets in Iran. Axios reports, citing sources, that these options will be presented to President Donald Trump today. The aim of the attacks is to break the current impasse in negotiations with Tehran, which has dragged on amid rising regional tensions.
A second option to be offered to the White House chief includes seizing control of part of the Strait of Hormuz to reopen it. This may require participation of ground forces. Thus, Washington intends to exert direct military pressure on Iran and restrict its ability to move ships. Control over international sea routes is seen as a strategic step to pressure the Iranian regime.
Alongside military preparations, the US is launching a diplomatic initiative. According to a State Department cable, the Trump administration seeks to create a new international alliance to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Diplomats were urged to persuade governments to join a coalition that would share information, coordinate actions, and impose sanctions. “Collective action is necessary to demonstrate unity and impose significant costs on Iran for blocking transit,” the document says.
The White House is also discussing the possibility of a prolonged naval blockade of Iranian ports — for several months. The goal is to force Tehran to abandon its nuclear program or accept strict limits, including suspending uranium enrichment for 20 years. Trump emphasized that the blockade would remain in place until Iran agreed to a deal that serves US interests, and said: “Tehran cannot possess nuclear weapons.”
Iran’s response was swift. Security service sources warned that “US maritime piracy” would soon meet an unprecedented military response. “Patience has limits, and a harsh response is inevitable if Washington continues the illegal blockade,” said a representative of the Iranian military. He added that restraint had been exercised to give diplomacy a chance and to allow the US to become familiar with Tehran’s conditions for a final settlement. The situation is teetering on the brink of a large-scale conflict that could change the rules of the game in the Persian Gulf.
News commentary
What strategic importance does the Strait of Hormuz have for the global economy (oil, liquefied gas) and why is its blockade considered an extreme measure? — The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow maritime corridor between Oman and Iran through which about 20–25% of global oil shipments and a significant volume of liquefied natural gas (LNG) pass, particularly from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and the UAE. A blockade of the strait is considered an extreme measure because it would cause a sharp spike in energy prices, a global supply crisis, and possible military escalation involving the US and its allies. Iran could theoretically close the strait using mines, anti-ship missiles, and fast attack craft, but such an action would provoke immediate military intervention and inflict enormous damage on Iran’s own economy.
What role does the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) play in Iranian politics and security, and how do its powers differ from the regular army? — The IRGC is an elite politico-military organization created after the 1979 revolution to protect the Islamic Republic and its spiritual leaders. Unlike the regular army (Artesh), the IRGC reports directly to the Supreme Leader, not the president. The IRGC controls missile forces, the nuclear program, naval forces in the Persian Gulf, and the Quds Force, which conducts operations abroad (in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen). In addition, the IRGC wields enormous economic influence through affiliated companies, making it a key player in Iran’s politics and security — effectively a state within a state.
Why does Iran call US actions in the Persian Gulf “maritime piracy” and which historical incidents (for example, “Operation Praying Mantis” in 1988) shape this rhetoric? — Iran uses the term “maritime piracy” to describe unilateral US actions such as intercepting Iranian tankers, seizing cargoes under sanctions, and maintaining a military presence without regional consent. A key historical incident is “Operation Praying Mantis” (18 April 1988), when the US Navy, in response to Iranian mining of the Persian Gulf, destroyed two Iranian oil platforms and sank several IRGC warships and boats. For Iran, that became a symbol of “aggressive piracy” by the US and a violation of sovereignty. Since then, any US dominance in the region is perceived as an attempt to control Iranian sea lanes and economy, which fuels the “piracy” rhetoric.
Full version: أكسيوس: خطة أمريكية لشن ضربات مكثفة على إيران لكسر جمود المفاوضات