[ANALYSIS] Iranian War Day 62: US prepares strike options as blockade pressure peaks

OVERVIEW

• US CENTCOM is set to brief President Trump on new military options for Iran, including potential strikes, Hormuz intervention, and uranium seizure operations, according to Axios.
• A US blockade remains the core strategy, with Trump calling it “genius” and refusing to lift it without a nuclear deal.
• Iran is threatening “unprecedented military action” if the blockade continues, while economic pressure is intensifying internally.
• The US is pushing to form a global maritime coalition to restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

US MILITARY OPTIONS (AXIOS)

• US CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper will brief President Trump on Thursday on new Iran military plans, with Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine also attending, Axios said.
• The briefing signals Trump is seriously considering resuming major combat operations to break negotiation deadlock or deliver a final blow before ending the war.
• Primary plan: a “short and powerful” wave of strikes targeting Iranian infrastructure to force Tehran back to negotiations with concessions on the nuclear issue.
• Second option: US takeover of parts of the Strait of Hormuz to reopen commercial shipping, potentially involving ground forces.
• Third option: special forces operation to secure Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
• Trump currently views the naval blockade as more effective than bombing and as his main leverage tool but remains open to military action if Iran does not concede.
• US planners are also preparing for potential Iranian retaliation against US forces in the region.
• CENTCOM Commander Cooper gave Trump a similar briefing on 26th February, two days before the US and Israel attacked Iran.

US POSITION

• Trump said the Hormuz blockade is “genius” and “100% foolproof”, adding Iran only needs to “cry uncle”.
• Trump reiterated there will be no deal unless Iran agrees to zero nuclear weapons and confirmed he will not lift the blockade without a nuclear agreement.
• US Treasury Secretary Bessent said the US is “sprinting for the finish line” and is prepared to impose secondary sanctions on Iran oil buyers.
• US is reportedly seeking forfeiture of Iran-linked oil tankers seized at sea.
• US is asking countries to join a new international coalition (Maritime Freedom Construct) to restore navigation in Hormuz.
• US CENTCOM has redirected 42 vessels under the blockade and remains fully committed to enforcement.
• US is exploring long-duration blockade scenarios, potentially lasting months, with logistical strain on naval rotations.

IRAN POSITION

• Iranian Navy Commander claimed Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz from the Arabian Sea side and will act if the enemy advances.
• Iran warned it may take “unprecedented military action” if the blockade continues, according to state TV.
• Iranian leadership maintains revenge for prior strikes remains active while also calling for new diplomacy rounds.
• Iranian oil minister urged energy conservation and ordered government offices to cut electricity use by up to 70%, signalling internal strain despite dismissing blockade impact.

SECURITY / MILITARY

• US is considering deploying Army hypersonic missiles to the Middle East for potential use against Iran.
• A surveillance drone near the US embassy in Baghdad was shot down.
• UK-linked coalition bases in Iraq were targeted ~28 times per day by Iran-linked drones/missiles during peak fighting.
• Around 2,000 vessels remain trapped in the Persian Gulf due to Hormuz disruption.

LEBANON

• Israel-Hezbollah fighting continues despite ceasefire, with ongoing strikes and counter-strikes.
• Israel has been advised by Trump to limit actions to surgical strikes and avoid full war escalation.