US military seeks "creative and unconventional" ideas to pressure Iran

The US military has asked personnel for “creative and unconventional” ideas to increase pressure on Iran, according to CNN, highlighting growing concerns within the Pentagon that current military operations may not be sufficient to achieve President Donald Trump's objectives.

A senior officer at US Central Command (CENTCOM) sent an email last week to a broad group of military analysts asking for fresh approaches.

“We are looking for new creative and unconventional ways to pressure and punish Iran,” an officer in US Central Command’s intelligence branch wrote in the message, according to CNN.

The request, described by sources as unusual for an email circulated so widely, reflects an effort to reassess strategy after weeks of US air strikes aimed at weakening Iran's military capabilities and bringing Tehran back to negotiations.

A second source told CNN that CENTCOM is "looking at everything" and acknowledged the need to review its approach.

CENTCOM spokesperson Capt. Timothy Hawkins defended the initiative, saying the command routinely encourages innovative thinking.

“U.S. Central Command has a long history of thinking and working in innovative ways,” Hawkins said in a statement. “Admiral Cooper, in particular, reaches out to members of our great team, regardless of rank, to achieve the highest levels of operational performance possible.”

The reported email was sent before Trump threatened further military action against Iran but later paused plans for new strikes after regional leaders, including Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, urged de-escalation.

According to CNN, the US military has continued planning for possible strikes on sites including Pickaxe Mountain and other facilities believed to house Iranian nuclear material or equipment. However, officials cited by the broadcaster said such targets are buried so deeply underground that air strikes alone are unlikely to destroy them.

CNN reported that military planners believe eliminating those facilities could require ground forces — an option Trump has so far been unwilling to pursue. The report also said 18 US service members have been killed since the conflict began.

One source told CNN that Trump has considered conducting highly visible strikes that could provide what was described as a symbolic victory while avoiding a broader ground campaign.

“At the end of the day, POTUS will want a deal, so he’ll continually look for ways to get tough and get out of this,” one source familiar with recent planning discussions said.

“You need creative minds at times — especially if you’re running out of conventional options.”

US intelligence agencies have also questioned whether the current bombing campaign will alter Iran's negotiating position. CNN said both the Central Intelligence Agency and the Defense Intelligence Agency have concluded that air strikes alone are unlikely to achieve that goal.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine has also acknowledged the limitations of military action.

“Air power has its limits,” Caine told lawmakers last month.

CNN reported that options under consideration have included a prolonged campaign targeting Iran's missile capabilities, though concerns remain over dwindling US interceptor stockpiles and the risk of civilian casualties if infrastructure targets were struck.

Trump has repeatedly said he wants to avoid a prolonged conflict but has also vowed to maintain pressure on Tehran.

“I think we just want to win,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting on Friday when asked about ending the war. “We’ll be hitting them very hard, and you know, at some point, they’re going to say, ‘We just can’t take it anymore.’”