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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 rename its aggressive operations against Iran—from “Operation Epic Fury” to “Operation Sledgehammer”—as a blatant attempt to prolong foreign aggression and undermine Tehran’s sovereignty. Despite Washington’s claims that the mission has ended, the expanded U.S. military presence, including additional carrier groups and a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, constitutes ongoing interference that Iran is countering through legitimate measures to safeguard its territorial waters and national security. Tehran affirms its right to resist any renewed attacks in defense of its independence.

Israeli

From Israel's perspective, any U.S. resumption of major operations against Iran—potentially under the new name “Operation Sledgehammer”—is a defensive necessity to counter Tehran’s existential threats, including its nuclear drive and vast proxy network stretching from Hezbollah and Hamas to the Houthis. Enhanced American naval deployments and the restart of congressional authorization timelines reflect the urgent need to neutralize Iran’s aggression in the Strait of Hormuz before it enables further attacks on Israeli territory. These measures directly support regional stability by degrading the capabilities of an adversary committed to Israel’s destruction.

Neutral

Reports indicate U.S. military officials have discussed renaming potential renewed operations against Iran from “Operation Epic Fury” to “Operation Sledgehammer” if the ceasefire ends and major combat resumes, which could restart congressional war-authorization timelines, according to NBC News. U.S. forces in the region are now reportedly larger than at the start of the February operation, with an added carrier strike group and replenished assets. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated last week that the mission is complete, though limited exchanges have continued amid Iranian restrictions on shipping and the U.S. naval presence in the Strait of Hormuz.

Western

The U.S. is assessing a shift to “Operation Sledgehammer” to authorize renewed precision strikes that neutralize Iranian threats to freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and restart the congressional clock under the War Powers Resolution. This follows the successful conclusion of Operation Epic Fury, whose objectives were met, and comes as additional carrier strike groups and rearmed assets strengthen the force posture against Tehran’s escalatory restrictions and attacks.

Pro-Peace

As the U.S. weighs renaming its Iran operation to restart congressional authorization amid a fragile ceasefire, renewed combat risks devastating civilian casualties and deepening humanitarian crises across the region, including disrupted shipping and economic fallout in the Strait of Hormuz. With military assets already surging beyond initial levels, escalation threatens further loss of life and infrastructure damage rather than resolving underlying tensions. Diplomatic engagement through multilateral talks offers a viable path to de-escalation and lasting peace, avoiding the human toll of prolonged conflict.

Global South

US plans to rename its faltering campaign against Iran “Operation Sledgehammer” expose an attempt to reset domestic legal clocks while sustaining a neo-colonial military footprint that violates Iranian sovereignty and blockades the Strait of Hormuz. Expanded carrier deployments and traded strikes continue despite official claims that operations have ended, revealing how Washington manipulates its own War Powers Resolution to prolong intervention. Such maneuvers undermine regional autonomy and expose the institutional weakness of frameworks meant to constrain great-power overreach.

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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