Four Military Options for a 'Final Strike' Against Iran Under Consideration at the Pentagon; Part of Ukraine Aid May Be Redirected to the Middle East

According to Axios, citing two U.S. officials and two informed sources, the Pentagon is developing military plans for a "final strike" against Iran, which could include ground troop deployments and large-scale bombing operations.

Analysts suggest that if diplomatic talks yield no progress—particularly if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed—the likelihood of a rapid escalation into military conflict would greatly increase. Some U.S. officials believe that a decisive display of force could help secure better leverage in negotiations, or simply provide Trump with something tangible to declare as a victory.

Meanwhile, Iranian authorities also have a say in how this war might end, and many of the currently discussed scenarios risk prolonging and intensifying the conflict rather than bringing it to a dramatic close.

In interviews with Axios, informed officials and sources revealed that Trump has four major "final strike" options under consideration: 1. Invading or blockading Iran’s main oil export hub, Khark Island. 2. Invading Larak Island, which helps Iran consolidate control over the Strait of Hormuz—a strategic location hosting Iranian bunkers, attack boats capable of sinking cargo ships, and radar systems monitoring movements through the strait. 3. Seizing the strategic Abu Musa Island and two smaller nearby islands, currently under Iranian control but claimed by the UAE as well. 4. Blockading or seizing vessels transporting Iranian oil from the eastern exit of the Strait of Hormuz.

The report notes that the U.S. military has also developed detailed ground operation plans deep inside Iran aimed at securing highly enriched uranium buried within Iran’s nuclear facilities. Rather than undertake such complex and high-risk operations, the U.S. may instead opt for massive aerial bombardments targeting these sites to prevent Iran from acquiring such materials.

Trump has not yet decided whether to pursue any of these actions, and White House officials have described any potential ground operations as merely "hypothetical." However, sources indicate that if negotiations with Iran fail to produce substantial results in the short term, Trump is prepared to escalate military actions. He may first follow through on his threat to bomb Iran’s power plants and energy infrastructure, while Tehran has warned of massive retaliation across the entire Gulf region.

White House press secretary Levitt warned Iranian authorities on Wednesday that if an agreement cannot be reached, Trump is ready to take "more intense" actions than ever before.

Levitt emphasized, "The President is not bluffing—he is fully prepared to strike forcefully. Iran must not misjudge the situation again… Any further acts of violence will be due to the Iranian regime’s refusal to reach an agreement."

It is expected that more U.S. reinforcements will arrive in the Middle East in the coming days and weeks, including several fighter squadrons and thousands of troops. A U.S. Marine Expeditionary Force is set to arrive this week, while another is currently being deployed. The U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division headquarters has been ordered to lead an infantry brigade composed of several thousand soldiers to the region.

Iranian officials expressed skepticism toward Trump’s negotiation efforts, viewing them as a cover for launching surprise attacks. On social media platform X, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagheri Kalbaf wrote on Wednesday that intelligence indicates "Iran’s enemies, supported by a country in the region, are preparing to launch an operation to occupy one of Iran’s islands."

Kalbaf likely referred to the UAE and its sovereignty claims over Abu Musa Island. He added, "All enemy movements are under surveillance by our armed forces. If they take any action, all critical infrastructure in the region will face merciless and fierce retaliation."

A source involved in facilitating U.S.-Iran talks said Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey are still working to arrange meetings between the two sides. The source noted that although Iran rejected the initial U.S. demand list, it has not entirely ruled out negotiations. "But mistrust remains the core issue. Iranian Revolutionary Guard commanders remain deeply skeptical," the source said. "However, mediators have not given up."

Additionally, The Washington Post cited three informed sources on Thursday, reporting that due to the ongoing Iran conflict causing strain on some of the most critical U.S. munitions supplies, the Pentagon is considering redirecting weapons originally destined for Ukraine to the Middle East.

The publication reported that potentially transferable weapons include air defense interceptors purchased through an initiative launched by NATO last year, under which NATO member states can buy U.S. arms to support Ukraine.

As U.S. military operations in the region continue to escalate, this consideration has emerged. U.S. Central Command Commander General Cooper stated on Wednesday that American forces have already struck over 10,000 targets inside Iran and are on track to limit Iran’s ability to project power beyond its borders.

Pentagon spokespersons told Reuters that they would "ensure that U.S. forces and their allies and partners have the resources needed to fight and win." Neither the Pentagon, the U.S. State Department, nor NATO responded immediately to requests for comment.

Source: rfi

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1860742781286412/

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