Trump eyes fresh Iran military strikes as war rages and oil prices soar The plan, detailed by Axios on Wednesday, indicates that Brad Cooper, head of the U.S. Central Command, will present these potential options President Donald Trump is set to receive a briefing on a proposal for a new series of "short and powerful" military strikes targeting Iran's infrastructure, according to a recent report. The plan, detailed by Axios on Wednesday, indicates that Brad Cooper, head of the U.S. Central Command, will present these potential options. Neither the White House nor Central Command has yet responded to requests for comment regarding the report. Among the other strategies slated for discussion is a plan to seize control of a segment of the Strait of Hormuz to facilitate the resumption of commercial shipping. Such an operation could potentially require the deployment of ground forces. Another option for the briefing involves a special forces operation aimed at securing Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium. This development emerges three weeks into a fragile ceasefire in the ongoing Iran War, which ignited on February 28 with initial attacks by the U.S. and Israel against Iran. Tehran subsequently retaliated with strikes on Israel and Gulf states hosting American military bases. The conflict, characterized by U.S.-Israeli operations within Iran and Israeli assaults in Lebanon, has tragically led to thousands of fatalities and displaced millions. The war, which faces significant domestic opposition, has severely disrupted global markets and driven up oil prices, effectively halting traffic through the Strait – a crucial maritime chokepoint for 20 percent of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Washington reportedly hopes these aggressive measures will compel Iran to be more receptive to nuclear negotiations. The conflict has also exposed divisions within President Trump's political base, with once-staunch supporters, notably led by former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, increasingly vocal about their disillusionment since the war's inception. Carlson has publicly accused the administration of misrepresenting Iran's nuclear capabilities. "It’s a lie. In fact, there is zero credible intelligence that suggests Iran is anywhere near building a bomb, or has plans to. None. Anyone who claims otherwise is ignorant or dishonest... They staked everything on it," the podcaster asserted, referring to Trump's efforts to engineer regime change. "That’s the biggest thing they’ve ever done. And it hasn’t worked." Trump has previously issued threats to dismantle Iran's civilian infrastructure, a move that international law experts caution could amount to war crimes under the 1949 Geneva Conventions, which explicitly prohibit attacks on sites essential for civilian life. Trump has consistently portrayed Iran's nuclear program as an imminent threat, despite Tehran's insistence on its right to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, including enrichment, as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is also expected to be present at the briefing. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments
Trump eyes fresh Iran military strikes as war rages and oil prices soar The plan, detailed by Axios on Wednesday, indicates that Brad Cooper, head of the U.S. Central Command, will present these potential options President Donald Trump is set to receive a briefing on a proposal f…
See this event through different lenses
Compare how Western, Iranian, Israeli, Global South, and Pro-Peace perspectives frame this event.
Compare PerspectivesLoading notes...
A tanker identified as the Kaifan was struck by an unknown projectile northeast of Oman’s Limah in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a July 21 report from UK Maritime Trade Operations. No ships were observed transiting the strait that day. Attribution of the strike and links to prior incidents have not been confirmed by the vessel’s owner.
Goldman Sachs has projected Brent crude averaging $80 per barrel in the fourth quarter and $75 in the following year, conditional on reduced Middle East tensions, while noting upside risks from potential shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz or Red Sea.
Brent prices rose above $91 per barrel amid recent U.S.-Iran exchanges and Houthi threats to Saudi shipments before edging lower on Tuesday. A senior Iranian official told Reuters that mediators had proposed a 10-day ceasefire to preserve an interim agreement.
US forces struck the tanker Settebello in the Gulf of Oman on June 10, killing three Indian crew members when munitions hit the engine room and adjacent areas. Maritime tracking data indicate the vessel had transported Iranian oil under US sanctions for several years and conducted offshore transfers prior to the strike.
The US military described the action as a precision operation, while reports note the ship was stationary at the time.
Iranian officials reported strikes on US radar and air defense sites in Kuwait and Bahrain, along with the interception of two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. The United States conducted strikes on Iranian targets following the deaths of three US soldiers, with the Pentagon stating the actions aimed to degrade capabilities affecting shipping.
Houthi forces in Yemen announced plans to blockade Saudi ports, while both US and Iranian leaders issued statements on further escalation.