US Central Command Emailed Analysts Seeking ‘New, Creative’ Ways to Punish Iran, CNN Says

US Central Command emailed military analysts seeking new ways to pressure and punish Iran, CNN reported.

Citing people familiar with the matter, the network said on August 3 that an officer in Centcom’s intelligence unit sent the email to multiple military analysts on July 29.

The email said the command was looking for “new, creative and unconventional ways” to pressure and punish Iran, according to CNN.

Military officials told CNN that it is highly unusual for the US military to solicit ideas through this kind of email brainstorming.

CNN said the request underscored a lack of clear options for forcing Iran into a deal on terms sought by President Donald Trump, suggesting conventional military and diplomatic measures have reached their limits.

In a statement to CNN, Central Command spokesman Navy Colonel Tim Hawkins said the command “has a long history of thinking and operating in innovative ways.”

He added that the effort was part of commander Brad Cooper’s practice of gathering input from team members regardless of rank to achieve the highest level of operational performance.

The US has not met its objectives more than five months after launching a surprise attack on Iran on February 28.

At a Cabinet meeting on July 31, Trump vowed to strike Iran hard and resume large-scale airstrikes. A day later, on August 1, he said on social media that the plans had been put on hold.

The pause in airstrikes was influenced by calls for de-escalation from Middle Eastern leaders, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to the report.

Gulf states are concerned that an expanded US attack could trigger Iranian retaliation and further unsettle the Strait of Hormuz.

Park Sang-kyung, Hankyung.com reporter highseoul@hankyung.com