Leaked Email: US Military Seeks ‘Creative’ Ways To Pressure, Punish Iran Amid Failed Strikes

The United States military has reportedly asked officers and analysts to develop “creative and unconventional” strategies to increase pressure on Iran, following concerns that weeks of airstrikes have failed to force Tehran into accepting Washington’s demands.

A leaked internal email from an intelligence officer at the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) revealed that the military was seeking fresh ideas on how to respond to Iran, according to CNN.

“We are looking for new creative and unconventional ways to pressure and punish Iran,” the officer wrote in the email circulated last Wednesday, sources familiar with the communication told CNN.

The request was reportedly sent to a wide network of military analysts and personnel, in what one source described as an unusual attempt to gather strategic options from within the command.

The development comes amid growing concerns among US officials that existing military operations have not significantly changed Iran’s position or pushed its leadership back to negotiations.

However, CENTCOM defended the move, describing it as part of its culture of encouraging innovation and seeking input from personnel across different levels.

“U.S. Central Command has a long history of thinking and working in innovative ways,” CENTCOM spokesperson, Capt. Timothy Hawkins, said in a statement.

“Admiral Cooper, in particular, reaches out to members of our great team, regardless of rank, to achieve the highest levels of operational performance possible.”

The internal request reportedly came shortly before US President Donald Trump threatened further strikes against Iran before later stepping back following appeals from regional leaders, including Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, to reduce tensions.

For weeks, US forces have carried out military operations targeting Iranian capabilities, with the stated aim of weakening Tehran’s ability to threaten maritime activities in the Strait of Hormuz and forcing Iranian leaders into negotiations.

Despite the sustained attacks, officials cited by CNN said there is limited evidence that the campaign has changed Iran’s position.

Trump is also reportedly considering renewed strikes on Iran’s remaining nuclear facilities, including underground locations such as Pickaxe Mountain, where US officials believe nuclear-related materials or equipment may still be located.

Military planners, however, have warned that even America’s most powerful conventional weapons may not be enough to destroy deeply buried facilities.

Sources familiar with the planning said a complete destruction of those sites could require ground forces, an option Trump has so far resisted because of the political and military risks involved.

At least 18 American service members have reportedly been killed since tensions escalated.

One source described Trump’s preferred strategy as a possible “fireworks” campaign involving symbolic strikes against Iranian targets that could allow the president to claim victory without completely dismantling Iran’s nuclear programme.

Officials acknowledged, however, that such an approach would not resolve wider disputes over the Strait of Hormuz, a key flashpoint in the conflict.

“At the end of the day, POTUS will want a deal, so he’ll continually look for ways to get tough and get out of this,” a source familiar with recent planning discussions said.

“You need creative minds at times, especially if you’re running out of conventional options.”

Recent assessments by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) reportedly concluded that the current bombing campaign was unlikely to force Iran to change its negotiating position.

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine, also warned lawmakers that military airpower alone has limitations.

“Air power has its limits,” Caine told lawmakers last month.

Meanwhile, CENTCOM has reportedly developed several escalation options, including a one-to-two-week sustained bombing campaign aimed at destroying Iran’s missile capabilities.

However, Trump has delayed approving some of the plans after military advisers raised concerns over declining US air defence interceptor supplies and the potential for civilian casualties if key infrastructure, including bridges and water desalination facilities, are targeted.

The US president has also previously considered deploying troops to secure strategic locations such as Kharg Island or Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile.

Such a move could conflict with one of Trump’s major 2024 campaign promises to avoid involving the United States in prolonged foreign conflicts.

Speaking during a Cabinet meeting on Friday, Trump said his administration remained focused on achieving victory.

“I think we just want to win,” Trump said. “We’ll be hitting them very hard, and you know, at some point, they’re going to say, ‘We just can’t take it anymore.’