The U.S. Army Central Command (CENTCOM) is asking military analysts for “creative and innovative” ideas on new ways to pressure Iran, underscoring the growing difficulty of finding options that can strengthen its position without significantly escalating the conflict, according to CNN.
The outlet states that this unusual request comes as President Trump continues to evaluate his next steps after weeks of attacks that have failed to force Tehran to accept US terms. CNN also reports that recent assessments by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) have concluded that the current air campaign alone is unlikely to change Iran’s negotiating position, while Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Kaine has publicly acknowledged that “military airpower has its limits.”
These reports are consistent with recent investigations by the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, Axios, and Reuters, which describe how senior military officials are grappling with limited military capabilities, dwindling air defense stockpiles, and the strategic limitations of an air campaign in the absence of a broader escalation.
Complicating the situation is the fact that, again according to CNN, the US military has used nearly 80% of its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors and about half of its Patriot surface-to-air missiles compared to pre-war stocks.
The US military used nearly all of its long-range, ground-launched precision-guided missiles during the conflict, raising concerns among senior commanders who have said that US munitions stockpiles are becoming “dangerously low.”
Concerns about dwindling interceptor stockpiles, combined with intelligence and pressure from Gulf allies concerned about their own air defenses, were among the factors that convinced some of President Trump’s top advisers to support the cancellation of major military operations planned over the weekend.
Gulf Arab states have also warned that a shortage of US-supplied air defense missiles could make them more vulnerable to potential missile and drone attacks from Iran if the conflict were to escalate further.
Hegseth denied CNN’s report that the United States had exhausted nearly 80% of its THAAD interceptors and half of its Patriot air defense system. The US Secretary of War declared the information about the air defense system shortage incorrect. “This headline is not true. Shame on you, CNN. Apparently, we don’t hate the media enough for spreading fake news.”
Antonio Albanese e Graziella Giangiulio
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