As the United States and Iran continue to work on a framework agreement to end war in the region, US military officials are now considering officially renaming the war with Iran “Operation Sledgehammer” if the current ceasefire collapses and President Donald Trump decides to resume major combat operations.
NBC News, citing two U.S. officials, said Wednesday that discussions about possibly replacing “Operation Epic Fury” with “Operation Sledgehammer” underscore how seriously the Trump administration is considering renewing the war that began in late February. Additionally, it could allow Trump to argue that he is restoring the 60-day clock that would require congressional approval for war.
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Trump administration to end Operation Epic Fury?
The Trump administration announced the end of Operation Epic Fury after Washington and Tehran agreed to a truce in early April to advance diplomatic talks. At the time, the administration also informed the US Congress that all hostilities with Iran remained at an end and that the two sides continued to maintain a shaky ceasefire. However, the Pentagon continues to describe the conflict with Iran as Operation Epic Fury, including providing public updates. Citing one Pentagon official, the report said the Epic Fury was continuing and that the ceasefire had simply suspended major combat operations.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters last week that “Operation Epic Fury” was over. During a briefing at the White House, Rubio noted, “The president has informed Congress, we are done with this phase,” adding, “Operation Epic Fury is closed. We have achieved the objectives of this operation.”
Any new military operation against Tehran would be conducted under a new name and operation, according to a White House official, adding that the administration’s view is that it would effectively reset the clock with Congress. Operation Sledgehammer is not the only name being considered, according to US officials.
Firefight between the US and Iran
In recent days, Washington and Tehran have exchanged fire after the Islamic Republic halted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway through which a fifth of the world’s oil passes. This comes as the US president continues to push for a naval blockade of Iran’s ports. According to the official, Trump is considering several options to reopen the strait and end the standoff, although he doubts diplomatic talks with Iran will be successful. The official added that the president has not ordered the military to resume major combat operations.
The official noted, “The blockade provides room for decision-making without major combat operations or putting a lot of people at risk,” adding, “The status quo will not continue.”
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Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon: Trump
Trump keeps saying that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. Speaking in the Oval Office on Monday, he explained that Tehran’s nuclear weapons program remains a major sticking point and that the ceasefire is now “incredibly tenuous”.
“I would call it the weakest right now, after reading the garbage they sent us, I didn’t even read it, they said — I’m not going to waste my time reading it. I’d say it’s one of the weakest right now,” Trump said, adding, “I would say the truce is on massive life support, where the doctor comes in and says, ‘Sir, your loved one has about a 1% chance.’
The US president reiterated on Tuesday that Tehran cannot have a nuclear weapon and said he was not worried about the economic impact of war on Americans. Before leaving for a visit to China, Trump was asked to what extent the “financial situation of the Americans” would motivate him to make a deal with the Islamic Republic. He replied: “Not a bit,” adding: “The only thing that matters when I talk about Iran – they can’t have a nuclear weapon. I don’t think about the financial situation of the Americans. I don’t think about anybody. I think about one thing – we can’t allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon. That’s all.”
According to U.S. officials, if Trump decides to launch another bombing campaign, the U.S. military presence in the region is now larger than when Operation Epic Fury began in February. Hegseth’s public remarks indicate that the US military has deployed another carrier strike group and replaced and rearmed some of the assets used during the first two months of the operation.
Key things
- The Trump administration is seriously considering a military escalation if the truce with Iran collapses.
- Renaming the conflict could legally reset the timeline for congressional approval of military operations.
- Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz highlight the continued volatility in US-Iranian relations.
