The US military has asked its staff to suggest creative and unconventional ways to pressure and punish Iran, according to an email seen by CNN. The request, sent by a senior US military command, underscores the Trump administration's struggle to end the five-month-old war.
Email Seeks Innovative Strategies
The email, dispatched last week to high-ranking military analysts, sought 'new, creative, and unconventional ways to pressure and punish Iran.' This initiative is part of the administration's latest efforts to resolve the conflict that began in late February.
Captain Timothy Hawkins, spokesperson for CENTCOM, told CNN: 'U.S. Central Command has a long history of thinking and working in innovative ways. Admiral Cooper, in particular, reaches out to members of our great team, regardless of rank, to achieve the highest levels of operational performance possible.'
Trump's On-Again, Off-Again Strikes
The email came just before President Donald Trump threatened new strikes on Iran, only to call them off shortly after. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the decision to cancel was 'subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL.'
Days earlier, US troops across the Middle East were warned that videos filmed on their phones could help Iran carry out and assess attacks. Personnel at some bases may be ordered to hand over devices while deployed.
Admiral Cooper's Warning
Admiral Bradford 'Brad' Cooper, the senior commander overseeing the Iran war, said video footage posted online was allowing Tehran to evaluate its strikes in near real time. His intervention follows the deaths of four US troops in recent weeks.
Fighting resumed after Trump's ceasefire with Iran collapsed. The US military conducted a 'heavy wave' of strikes on Thursday in retaliation for attempted Iranian strikes on Tuesday, but a lasting end to the war remains elusive.
War Drags On, Approval Plummets
The war has now lasted over five months since the first attacks by the US and Israel on March 1, despite Trump's repeated promises of a speedy resolution. His approval ratings have fallen to near-historic lows, beaten only by Richard Nixon before his Watergate resignation.
World leaders are pressuring Trump to end the war, as its impact on oil continues to wreak havoc on global economies. The conflict shows no signs of abating, with both sides engaging in retaliatory strikes.
