Report: Pentagon Presents Extensive Attack Plan Against Iran to Trump
US Central Command has proposed an extensive two-week plan to escalate strikes in Iran, according to The Wall Street Journal. Overnight, the US military struck dozens of Revolutionary Guard targets in response to ballistic missile launches. President Trump has delayed the expanded attack amid internal discussions regarding interceptor stockpiles.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that the Pentagon has prepared an expanded plan for airstrikes against targets in Iran, intended to last for about two weeks. The plan was formulated by US Central Command (CENTCOM) with the goal of escalating military pressure on Tehran and responding to its regional actions.
However, US President Donald Trump has delayed the execution of the expanded attack. The delay stems from attempts to advance diplomatic contacts regarding the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, as well as internal discussions within the administration concerning potential shortages of interceptors.
Parallel to discussions on the expanded plan, US military forces carried out a wave of extensive strikes on Iranian territory overnight. US Central Command stated that dozens of targets identified with the Revolutionary Guards were attacked, including military headquarters, missile facilities, unmanned aerial vehicles, surveillance and coastal defense sites, and naval capabilities. Military sources defined the action as a "powerful response," noting that it did not include damage to civilian infrastructure such as bridges and power plants, which Trump had mentioned in recent threats.
The overnight strikes were carried out in direct response to the launch of four ballistic missiles by Iran toward US military positions in Jordan the day before. Additionally, Iran attacked Egypt for the first time using UAVs launched at fuel tankers via Shiite militias in Iraq. Trump addressed the events, stating: "We are going to beat them up a little bit. In the meantime, we will hit them very hard because it is our turn to hit them. They know it is coming."
Trump signals escalation
A senior administration official stated that Trump is currently in an "escalatory mood" but is still weighing the scope of the response. The president himself signaled that he is inclined to renew the attacks. In an interview with Fox News, he said the United States "will hit them very hard," but clarified that he would simultaneously allow Iran to continue contacts.
According to the report, Israel may also be integrated into a broad military operation if Trump approves the renewal of hostilities.
During the previous round of fighting, Cooper requested at least six weeks to complete the military mission, but combat was halted earlier than planned after Trump decided to promote a ceasefire. Afterward, the Pentagon declared that Iran's missile program had been significantly damaged; however, US intelligence assessments determined that Iran had maintained some capabilities and managed to renew missile attacks.
According to the report, parties opposing the expansion of the operation believe that even after extensive strikes, Iran managed to rehabilitate some missile launchers, change launch patterns, and continue attacking using missiles and UAVs. Conversely, supporters of the plan estimate that a more prolonged and powerful attack could significantly reduce Iran's response capability and tilt the balance of the fighting.
Against this backdrop, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Kane, updated the White House regarding the decrease in the inventory of interceptors, clarifying that while the situation does not prevent the continuation of military operations, it increases risk. President Trump publicly rejected these concerns, declaring: "We have much more ammunition than anyone else in the world, and much more than we need."
