WASHINGTON — The Pentagon is drawing up new contingency plans to strike Iranian military assets around the Strait of Hormuz, according to multiple sources cited by CNN Politics. The planning reflects growing concern that the fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran could unravel, reigniting one of the world’s most volatile flashpoints.
Officials familiar with the deliberations said the options include “dynamic targeting” of Iranian naval capabilities — particularly small fast‑attack boats, mine‑laying vessels, and coastal missile sites that have allowed Tehran to disrupt shipping through the narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
“The military continues to provide the President options, and all options remain on the table,” a Defense Department official told CNN, declining to discuss operational specifics.
Focus on Strategic Waterways
The new plans mark a shift from earlier U.S. strikes, which concentrated on inland targets. Commanders now aim for a more concentrated bombing campaign around the Strait itself, southern Arabian Gulf, and Gulf of Oman. Analysts say the goal is to neutralize Iran’s asymmetric naval assets that have effectively shut down the region’s shipping lanes.
Iran’s coastal defense missiles and thousands of one‑way attack drones reportedly remain intact, complicating U.S. efforts to reopen the strait. Military planners are also evaluating strikes on dual‑use infrastructure, including energy facilities, to pressure Tehran back to negotiations — a move some officials warn could escalate the conflict.
Economic and Strategic Stakes
The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly 20 percent of global oil shipments, and its closure has already sent shockwaves through energy markets. The disruption threatens to undermine President Donald Trump’s efforts to curb inflation and stabilize fuel prices.
Shipping brokers told CNN that even a successful strike campaign might not immediately reopen the waterway unless Iran’s military capability is “destroyed with near certainty.”
Possible Leadership Targets
Among the more controversial options under review are precision strikes against individual Iranian military leaders and “obstructionists” accused of undermining ceasefire talks. Sources cited IRGC Commander‑in‑Chief Ahmad Vahidi as one potential target.
Such actions would represent a major escalation, potentially drawing Iran into direct retaliation across the region.
Next Steps and Diplomatic Context
The planning coincides with ongoing mediation efforts led by Pakistan and Qatar to preserve the ceasefire. U.S. Central Command has already deployed the USS George H. W. Bush, a Nimitz‑class aircraft carrier, to the Indian Ocean as part of its readiness posture.
Pentagon officials emphasize that no final decision has been made. But as tensions rise and diplomatic progress stalls, the military’s preparations underscore how close the region remains to renewed confrontation — and how pivotal the Strait of Hormuz remains to global stability.
