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strikeMay 13, 2026

Pentagon's 'Operation Epic Fury' May Be Dead— But 'Sledgehammer' Could Reportedly Be Next As Trump Says I

Summary

The U.S. military is reportedly considering renaming the war with Iran, should the current ceasefire fail and President Donald Trump decide to resume major combat operations. The discussions about the change in name from “Operation Epic Fury” to “Operation Sledgehammer” would effectively restart the clock with Congress for war authorization, reported NBC News on Wednesday. “Operation Sledgehammer” is not the only name under consideration, though, stated the report, citing U.S. officials. The U.S. military presence in the region is now reportedly larger than it was at the start of Operation Epic Fury in February, with an additional carrier strike group deployed and several military assets replaced and rearmed, according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.The Pentagon did not immediately respond to Benzinga‘s request for comment. White House defends war timeline During a White House briefing last week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Operation Epic Fury "is over,” stating that Trump informed Congress the mission was complete and that its objectives had been achieved. However, the U.S. and Iran have traded attacks in recent days as tensions escalate in the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran restricting ship traffic while Trump maintains a naval blockade. The 1973 War Powers Resolution requires presidents to notify Congress within 48 hours of initiating combat and limits unauthorized military action to 60 days. The Trump administration argues that because Operation Epic Fury paused offensive combat operations after 40 days, it has not yet crossed the 60-day threshold. Trump rejected Iran's response to a U.S.-backed peace proposal on Sunday, calling it "totally unacceptable" in a Truth Social post and signaling frustration over stalled negotiations. Trump also said the month-long ceasefire is on “massive life support” and “unbelievably weak”. Senators Question Iran War Costs Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine testified Tuesday on Trump's proposed $1.5 trillion 2027 defense budget, facing bipartisan questions over military spending, alliances and the impact of the Iran war on U.S. weapons stockpiles. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) challenged the Pentagon's estimated $29 billion cost of the Iran war, calling it "suspiciously low" and arguing it excluded damage to U.S. military facilities. Hegseth defended the campaign by emphasizing the cost of allowing Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon, but did not provide a figure for damage to American assets. At the end of April, the Pentagon had said the Iran war cost about $25 billion so far, predominantly for munitions, though the estimate may not include infrastructure repairs. Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. Image via Shutterstock © 2026 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. To add Benzinga News as your preferred source on Google, click here.

Perspectives

Iranian Official

The Iranian government condemns U.S. plans to rebrand its failed “Operation Epic Fury” as “Operation Sledgehammer” as a transparent bid to extend foreign aggression and undermine Iran’s sovereignty through renewed combat operations. Washington’s deployment of extra carrier groups and imposition of a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz constitute direct threats to Iranian territorial integrity and maritime rights, which Tehran will continue to counter through resolute resistance and defensive measures. Iran rejects any external dictates that seek to restart clocks on illegal wars of aggression.

Israeli

From Israel's perspective, the U.S. military's reported shift from “Operation Epic Fury” to “Operation Sledgehammer” reflects the urgent defensive necessity of countering Iran's existential threat through its expanding proxy networks and direct aggression in the Strait of Hormuz. The increased U.S. presence, including additional carrier strike groups, underscores the imperative to dismantle Tehran's capacity for sustained attacks that endanger Israel's survival. Any resumption of major operations would serve as a critical reset to address these regional dangers beyond the prior mission's pause.

Neutral

U.S. officials have reportedly discussed renaming potential renewed military operations against Iran from “Operation Epic Fury” to “Operation Sledgehammer” if the current ceasefire ends, according to NBC News. The reported change would restart congressional authorization timelines under the 1973 War Powers Resolution. U.S. military assets in the region have increased since February, with recent exchanges of attacks occurring in the Strait of Hormuz.

Western

U.S. forces are evaluating a potential resumption of operations against Iranian aggression in the Strait of Hormuz, with discussions underway to designate renewed strikes under a new operational name such as “Operation Sledgehammer” to align with congressional authorization timelines. This follows the successful conclusion of Operation Epic Fury, which achieved key objectives through precision targeting, amid an expanded U.S. naval presence including an additional carrier strike group to deter threats and secure critical maritime routes. Recent Iranian restrictions on shipping have escalated tensions, necessitating enhanced posture to neutralize risks to international navigation and regional stability.

Pro-Peace

As the U.S. weighs resuming strikes on Iran under a new operation name, civilians in the region face mounting risks of death, displacement, and economic collapse from renewed naval blockades and attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. Humanitarian costs, including disrupted food and medicine supplies, would likely fall heaviest on ordinary Iranians already strained by prior fighting. Diplomatic negotiations, rather than military rebranding to bypass congressional limits, offer a clearer path to de-escalation and protection of civilian lives.

Global South

US plans to rebrand its stalled campaign against Iran as “Operation Sledgehammer” reveal a calculated bid to reset legal clocks and sustain neo-colonial military pressure on a sovereign state. With extra carrier groups massed near the Strait of Hormuz, Washington seeks to dictate terms over a critical chokepoint while Iran exercises its sovereign right to regulate traffic. The maneuver lays bare the War Powers Resolution’s institutional impotence, allowing executive adventurism to override both congressional checks and the self-determination of nations in the Global South.

Actors involved

USIran

Sources

  • Namrata SenBy Namrata Sen

    The U.S. military is reportedly considering renaming the war with Iran, should the current ceasefire fail and President Donald Trump decide to resume major combat operations. The discussions about the change in name from “Operation Epic Fury” to “Operation Sledgehammer” would eff…

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