CENTCOM chief briefs Trump on possible 'final blow' against Iran: Fox News

Washington: The head of US Central Command briefed President Donald Trump on possible military options against Iran, according to a Fox News report cited on Thursday.

The broadcaster said Admiral Brad Cooper presented options in the Situation Room, including what it described as a possible final blow if Trump chose to restart combat operations. The plan involved a short and powerful wave of strikes aimed at Iran’s remaining military assets, leadership and infrastructure.

Fox News also reported that the Pentagon was weighing the deployment of advanced weapons systems, including a hypersonic missile known as Dark Eagle. According to the broadcaster, the missile can hit targets up to 2,000 miles, or 3,218 kilometres, away and could be used against remaining ballistic missile launchers.

B-1B Lancer bombers have been increasing their presence in the region. The aircraft can be equipped with up to 5,000 pounds of hypersonic weapons and can carry big payloads.

Iran warns of response

Iran said on Thursday it would answer any renewed US attacks with long and painful strikes on American positions. Tehran also repeated its claim to the Strait of Hormuz, adding another complication to US efforts to assemble a coalition to reopen the waterway.

The US-Israeli war on Iran has entered its second month and the strategic channel remains shut, disrupting 20% of the world’s oil and gas supplies. The closure has pushed up global energy prices and increased fears of an economic slowdown.

Diplomatic efforts have stalled. Although a ceasefire has been in place since April 8, Iran is still blocking the strait in response to a US naval blockade of Iranian oil exports, a key source of revenue for Tehran.

A US official told Reuters that Trump was due to receive a briefing on Thursday on plans for fresh military strikes intended to pressure Iran into negotiating an end to the conflict. Reuters said such options have long been part of US planning.

News of the proposed briefing, first reported by Axios late on Wednesday, initially drove oil prices sharply higher. Brent crude rose above $126 a barrel at one stage before later easing to around $114.

Statements from Tehran and Washington

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Thursday evening that quick progress in talks with the United States should not be expected, according to the official IRNA news agency. "Expecting to reach a result in a short time, regardless of who the mediator is, in my opinion, is not very realistic."

Late on Thursday, air defence activity was heard in parts of Tehran, according to Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency. Tasnim news agency reported that air defences were engaging small drones and unmanned surveillance aerial vehicles.

Separately, the United Arab Emirates said on Thursday that it had barred its citizens from travelling to Iran, Lebanon and Iraq. It also urged Emiratis currently in those countries to leave immediately and return home, citing regional developments.

Trump told reporters on Thursday that Iran would not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. He also said gasoline prices, an issue of political importance for his Republican Party ahead of the November midterm elections, would drop like a rock once the war ended.

While repeating allegations of serious rights violations by Iran, Trump said he was OK with the country taking part in the upcoming soccer World Cup in the United States after FIFA president Gianni Infantino insisted that Iran would participate.