US military sends unusual email seeking 'creative and unconventional' ideas to ‘punish’ Iran: Report
The email was sent before Trump threatened fresh strikes on Iran but later decided against them over the weekend after regional leaders, including Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, urged him to de-escalate the conflict.
A senior US military officer has sent an unusual email to military analysts, seeking "creative and unconventional" methods to "punish" Iran, CNN reported. The message, sent by an officer in US Central Command's (CENTCOM) intelligence branch, called for new and innovative ways to pressure Iran, highlighting the limited options available to President Donald Trump in his efforts to force Iran into a deal on US terms.
CENTCOM spokesperson Capt. Timothy Hawkins stated that CENTCOM has a history of innovative thinking and that the officer's email aimed to achieve the highest levels of operational performance. The email was sent before Trump threatened further strikes on Iran, but later decided against them after regional leaders urged him to de-escalate the conflict.
Despite ongoing air strikes aimed at weakening Iran's ability to threaten shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, there has been no breakthrough in talks, and Trump has been considering expanding the military campaign, including potential strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. However, even powerful conventional weapons are unlikely to destroy deeply buried facilities, and a ground troop invasion would be a major escalation that Trump has not yet approved.
The conflict has already resulted in the deaths of 18 US service members, and Trump has discussed launching "fireworks" type strikes to claim a symbolic victory.
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