Aerial Strikes Are No Longer Enough: Washington Seeks New Ways to Punish Iran

A senior officer in the U.S. Central Command's intelligence branch sent an urgent email to a group of military officers and analysts, demanding innovative and non-traditional approaches to pressure and punish Iran.

A report by CNN described this message as an unusual move, confirming it reveals the White House's limited options.

This effort, resembling a collective brainstorming session, reflects the depth of the crisis facing President Donald Trump's administration more than five months into the military confrontation with Iran, despite Trump's repeated claims that the U.S. has won and Tehran is now desperate to reach a deal ending the war.

Reassessment

The report cited sources who said the email, sent last week, included a clear statement: "We are seeking new, creative, and unconventional ways to exert pressure on Iran and punish it."

A second source confirmed that Central Command is conducting a comprehensive reassessment of its military strategy to evaluate the effectiveness of current options.

Meanwhile, U.S. Central Command spokesperson and military officer Timothy Hawkins defended the initiative, telling the network: "CENTCOM has a long history of thinking and operating in innovative ways."

Hawkins added that Central Command Commander Admiral Brad Cooper regularly invites proposals from all military personnel, regardless of rank, to achieve the highest levels of operational performance.

Sources indicated the email was sent just before Trump threatened Tehran with a new round of intense strikes, only to back down at the weekend following communications and calls for de-escalation.

Dark Outlook

Despite weeks of continuous air raids aimed at weakening Iran’s naval and missile capabilities and securing navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, internal intelligence assessments paint a grim picture.

Reports from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) indicate that continued airstrikes and conventional missile bombardment will fail to alter Tehran’s negotiating position or force it to accept U.S. terms.

Earlier, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine acknowledged the limitations of options, stating: "Air power has limits, and the U.S. administration is studying multiple military alternatives, including targeting hardened facilities and preparing plans for an attack on Mount Bikaq, and other Iranian sites believed to house uranium enrichment equipment and materials."

The report quoted military experts saying that destroying these sites located deep within mountain tunnels would require a ground intervention—a risky option Trump hesitates to adopt.

The U.S. had planned a destructive aerial campaign lasting between one and two weeks to dismantle Iran’s missile arsenal, but the Joint Chiefs warned of depleting U.S. anti-missile defense stockpiles, as well as significant civilian casualties from targeting infrastructure such as bridges and desalination plants.

According to the report, options were also considered for deploying ground forces to seize strategic areas like Kharg Island and secure highly enriched uranium.

However, this option clashes with Trump’s prior pledges not to involve U.S. troops in prolonged, attritional land wars.

Pressure of the "Last Chance"

This military activity coincided with direct statements from Trump asserting that negotiations with Iran are underway at the request of regional countries, calling this round a "last chance for Tehran to sign a good deal" regarding opening the Strait of Hormuz and ending the nuclear program.

In contrast, Iranian officials firmly denied any ongoing talks with Washington.

The report cited a source who said, "Ultimately, the president wants a deal, so he will keep searching for ways to intensify pressure and then exit this crisis."

The source added: "When traditional military options lose effectiveness, there is greater need for creative minds to offer out-of-the-box ideas," according to his words.