Reuters: US preparing ground for potential new strikes on Iran

Recent US strikes on Iran, officially aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, are also degrading military capabilities that Washington would likely seek to neutralise before launching more complex operations against the country, Reuters reports, citing three US officials.

The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of military matters, indicated that the attacks are effectively expanding President Donald Trump's military options as he continues to keep allies and adversaries guessing about his next move after formally notifying Congress last weekend of the renewed conflict with Iran.

The war, now in its fifth month, has continued following the collapse of a memorandum of understanding intended to halt hostilities and pave the way for a broader peace agreement.

Although Iran's armed forces have suffered significant losses since the U.S.-Israeli campaign began on February 28, Tehran retains substantial missile and drone capabilities and has continued attacks on commercial shipping and Gulf states.

According to the U.S. military, recent operations have targeted Iranian air defence systems, coastal radar installations, missile and drone launch sites, as well as small boats and other maritime assets.

One U.S. official described the strikes as "shaping operations" designed to weaken Iranian defenses ahead of any potential escalation.

"This is helping set the stage, if needed," the official said.

The Pentagon did not immediately comment on the remarks.

Reuters reported in March that U.S. military planners had examined options for deploying troops to Iran's coastline to better secure the Strait of Hormuz. Officials at the time also discussed the possibility of sending ground forces to Kharg Island, which handles around 90% of Iran's oil exports. Such an operation would carry considerable risks, as Iranian forces could target the island from the mainland with missiles and drones.

Trump said on Tuesday that he had previously instructed the military not to strike Iran's oil infrastructure during operations near Kharg Island, while making clear he had not ruled out targeting the facility in the future.

"If we degrade them far enough and deep enough back, I would do that," he told Fox News.

The president has also warned of possible action against Pickaxe Mountain, a heavily fortified underground facility near one of Iran's major nuclear sites that is believed to be linked to Tehran's nuclear program.

Mark Cancian, a retired U.S. Marine officer and analyst at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, cautioned that publicly discussing military scenarios such as seizing Kharg Island carries both advantages and risks.

While such statements may increase pressure on Tehran during negotiations, they could also undermine operational secrecy.

It's "bad for the military, because ​we're saying where we might be ⁠going," he said.

Opponents of Trump's Iran policy, including some lawmakers in Congress, argue that although the campaign inflicted heavy damage on Iran's conventional military capabilities and defence industry, it failed to secure meaningful concessions from Tehran.

Critics also contend that the conflict has strengthened Iran's leverage over the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway through which roughly one-fifth of global crude supplies pass. Despite suffering heavy losses to its conventional navy, Iran still retains the ability to threaten commercial shipping using drones, rockets and other asymmetric capabilities.

The debate over Washington's next steps has reportedly divided members of the administration. According to a fourth U.S. official, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has emerged as a leading advocate of a more aggressive military approach toward Iran.

Imran Bayoumi, a former Pentagon official now affiliated with the Atlantic Council, suggested that Trump's recent rhetoric is intended to increase uncertainty in Tehran and strengthen Washington's position in any negotiations.

"I would separate the noise from the actions," Bayoumi said. "I would expect the discussions between him and his national security team are looking a bit different than what he's posting online."

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov