US President Donald Trump could order a resumption of military action in Iran within days, according to reports, raising the prospect of renewed escalation after a fragile pause in hostilities.
Journalist Barak Ravid reported that a senior US administration official warned Tehran in advance on Sunday about planned operations linked to efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, cautioning Iran not to interfere.
The warning was followed on Tuesday by a statement from General Dan Caine, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, who said the ceasefire remained in effect. However, he also stressed that American forces were prepared to restart operations rapidly if ordered by the President.
According to Mr Ravid, “some senior American and Israeli officials” believe Mr Trump could authorise a return to military action “later this week if the diplomatic stalemate continues”.
Tensions were further heightened at a Pentagon briefing on Tuesday, where Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Iran it would face “overwhelming American firepower” if it targeted US forces or commercial shipping.
“To what remains of Iran’s forces, if you attack American troops or innocent commercial shipping, you will face overwhelming American firepower,” he said. “We are locked and loaded to defend our people, our ships, our aircraft and this mission without hesitation.”
Mr Hegseth said US forces had established what he described as a “powerful red, white and blue dome” over the Strait of Hormuz, designed to provide continuous surveillance of commercial shipping.
He added that the system would monitor “peaceful” vessels in the region, while making a pointed reference to Iranian activity. The Defence Secretary also suggested that other allies, including NATO partners, should take greater responsibility for securing global shipping routes.
“The world needs this waterway far more than we do,” he said. “We are stabilising the situation so Hormuz can flow again, but we expect the world to step up.”
Mr Hegseth said responsibility would be “handed back” to international partners “at the appropriate time”, as Washington signalled its intention to maintain pressure on Tehran while keeping military options on the table.
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