President Donald Trump is considering a "razor-sharp" or "lawn-mowing" style of repeated strikes against Iran's proxies in the Strait of Hormuz, according to US officials. Such an approach would aim to weaken Iran's ability to threaten shipping in the vital waterway without sparking a wider war. The US is furious about airstrikes on Saudi Aramco oil facilities last week that it blames on Iran. It has accused Tehran of "act of war" and deployed more troops to the region. The Pentagon said on Sunday that 1,000 additional US troops would be sent to the Middle East to bolster defences. The new deployment brings the total number of US forces in the region to about 6,000. The BBC has learned that Mr Trump has asked his national security team to come up with a range of options to respond to what the US sees as Iranian aggression. The president wants to show that the US will not tolerate attacks on its allies or their shipping, but he is keen to avoid a full-scale conflict. US officials say Mr Trump is looking at a strategy that would involve small, tactical strikes against Iranian targets, such as radar or missile sites, or military equipment and personnel in Syria, Iraq or Iran itself. The approach would be calibrated to inflict limited damage and not trigger an all-out war. The US and its allies have long been concerned about Iran's activities in the Strait of Hormuz, where Tehran has threatened to block oil shipments if it is prevented from exporting its own oil. About 20% of the world's oil supply passes through the strait. Iran has denied involvement in last week's attacks on the Saudi Aramco facilities, which were claimed by Yemen's Houthi rebels. The US, however, has concluded that Iran was responsible, and has vowed to take action to deter future attacks. Mr Trump has said he does not want war with Iran but has also warned that the US will respond "firmly" if it is attacked. He has imposed tough economic sanctions on Iran and has urged European allies to take a tougher stance on Tehran. The Pentagon said the additional 1,000 troops would help to "defend US forces and interests in the region". The new deployment includes engineers, technicians and a Patriot missile defence battery. The US has about 5,000 troops in the region, not counting those serving on ships or in other parts of the Middle East.

President Donald Trump's administration is reviewing a plan to periodically strike Iran's military capabilities in the Hormuz Strait, often referred to as the "mowing the lawn" approach, according to sources. As the U.S. has shifted its strategy from military attacks to economic sanctions against Iran, there is a possibility of keeping limited military actions constant to ensure the safe transit of Hormuz Strait.

Axios reports that U.S. officials cite Trump and high-ranking military officers reviewing this plan. The plan, set up by the U.S. Central Command over the past week, aims to prevent Iran from rebuilding radar, missile defense systems, and long-range missile capabilities. The idea is that if Iran's military capabilities recover, they will be removed again.

This plan aims to reduce the risk of attacks on tankers and U.S. Navy ships, aircraft, and submarines in the Gulf of Oman, ensuring their safe passage. While the White House previously hesitated to approve this plan to avoid further escalation with Iran, a recent direct attack between the two countries led to a shift in the situation.

The U.S. military has targeted two launch sites of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps in Hormuz Strait with rockets, while Iran retaliated by launching a missile at a U.S. military base in Jordan. President Trump vowed to "hit them hard" in response, stating that there would be a response. U.S. Central Command's push for limited strikes is fueled by Iran's efforts to rebuild its military capabilities in Hormuz Strait.

Officials believe Iran is trying to acquire more accurate radar, missile defense systems, and long-range missile capabilities. Although an Iranian missile did not pose a serious threat to an F-35 jet, the U.S. military interpreted it as a signal of Iran's military strength restoration. President Trump has been raising the military pressure level, even posting an AI-generated video showing the destruction of Iran's largest oil export port, Harigh Island, on social media, warning that "Harigh Island is crumbling."

However, this was not a genuine military attack by the U.S. The plan, according to the Pentagon, focuses on removing limited military capabilities to maintain the transit of the Strait rather than destroying Iran's energy infrastructure. Iran has warned of a harsh response to further aggression but has also expressed willingness to negotiate a peaceful resolution.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters that this confrontation between the U.S. and Iran is a "limited and controlled clash," and that the U.S. will respond harshly if attacked again. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing the view that war is not beneficial for anyone, domestically, regionally, or globally, and calling for negotiations to resolve the issue.