US ‘plans to attack Iran’s coast’ after ceasefire

CNN On April 23, citing sources familiar with the situation, the US military is considering new combat options and targets, including “flexible targeting” of Iranian forces deployed around the Strait of Hormuz, in case the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran ends without an agreement.

Among the potential targets are speedboats, mine-laying vehicles and asymmetric weapons that Iran uses to block this shipping lane.

In the early stages of the conflict, the US attacked a series of Iranian naval positions, mostly outside the Strait of Hormuz, to open the way to attack deeper into enemy territory. Meanwhile, the new battle plan is expected to focus on the area around this strategic maritime route.

According to CNN, a large number of Iran’s coastal defense missiles are still intact after more than 6 weeks of fighting. Tehran also has many speedboats and small boats, which can attack vehicles passing through the Strait of Hormuz and complicate Washington’s efforts to reopen this shipping lane.

Sources, including a senior shipping broker, assess that the campaign targeting Iran’s defense network around the Strait of Hormuz is unlikely to help reopen this shipping lane in the short term.

“Unless it can be proven with certainty that 100% of Iran’s military strength has been destroyed or the US can minimize the risk with its capabilities, everything will depend on how much risk President Donald Trump is willing to accept and start pushing ships through the area,” according to a source.

The US military could also carry out its threat to attack dual-use targets and key infrastructure in Iran, including energy facilities, sources said.

In addition, the US also has the ability to target Iran’s remaining military capabilities such as missiles, launchers, and defense industrial facilities that have not been destroyed or have been relocated to other places after the ceasefire takes effect. It is estimated that Iran still retains half of its missile launchers and thousands of suicide drones (UAVs) after 6 weeks of conflict.

Another plan is to target Iran’s military leadership and those the US believes are obstructing the negotiation process. A source said that among them was Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Ahmad Vahidi.

When asked about the above information, a Pentagon official refused to comment on the grounds of ensuring operational security. “The US military continues to provide President Trump with options and all are being considered,” the official said.

CNN added that Mr. Trump seems to be cautious about restarting the campaign against Iran and wants to find a diplomatic solution. However, many sources said that US leaders did not extend the ceasefire indefinitely and that the army would be ready to continue attacking if ordered.

On April 18, Iran announced the re-imposition of control in the Strait of Hormuz, reversing the announcement of a complete opening for commercial ships made a day earlier. Meanwhile, the US Navy also enforced a blockade outside the Gulf of Oman, warning that it would arrest any ships arriving or leaving from Iranian ports, as well as paying fees to Tehran.

This situation causes commercial ships to face a “double blockade” when operating in the Strait of Hormuz. Tensions in this vital maritime route remain high even though the US on April 21 extended the ceasefire to facilitate negotiation efforts.

Two sources said that the Trump administration underestimated Iran’s intention to blockade the vital maritime route, therefore did not deploy enough forces to prevent or respond.