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US President Trump will be briefed by CENTCOM leader Brad Cooper on military action plans against Iran, including potential strikes on infrastructure. Trump may resume combat operations to influence negotiations or finalize the war, with military options involving the Strait of Hormuz.
US President Donald Trump speaks during a healthcare affordability event in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, April 23, 2026.(Bloomberg)US President Donald Trump will receive a briefing on Thursday from the leader of the Central Command, Brad Cooper, on new plans for potential military action against Iran. According to Axios, which first reported the development, CENTCOM has prepared a plan for a "short and powerful" wave of strikes on Iran, likely including infrastructure targets.
New US military options in Iran
The report added that the briefing signals Trump is seriously considering resuming major combat operations, to either break the logjam in negotiations or to deliver a final blow before ending the war.
The military options to be presented to Trump include taking over part of the Strait of Hormuz to reopen it, which could involve a ground operation. A special forces operation to secure Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium could also be discussed, sources told Axios.
The US imposed a naval blockade of all Iranian ports on April 13, following the collapse of peace talks in Islamabad. Sources told Axios that Trump sees the blockade as his primary source of leverage, but he would consider military action if Iran still doesn't agree to his demands.
Can US and Iran reopen Hormuz?
Iran has reportedly proposed an interim deal to reopen Hormuz in exchange for Washington ending its blockade of Iranian ports, while postponing more complex negotiations over the country’s nuclear program.
Over the past few weeks, the United States had been pushing for other countries to help restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, as oil prices surged to their highest in more than four years on fears of longer-term disruptions to global fuel supplies.
Iran can access uranium if it decides: IAEA Chief
Meanwhile, Rafael Mariano Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, has said that Iran could access its stockpile of near weapons-grade uranium if it decides to retrieve the material thought to be entombed at sites bombed by the US.
“It is accessible if there’s a wish to go there,” Grossi told Bloomberg TV.
While IAEA inspectors haven’t visited the sites where the material is located in 10 months, Grossi said satellite images suggest the majority of material remains buried at the location it was last seen near the Iranian city of Isfahan.
The IAEA chief spoke as Washington and Tehran struggle to resume negotiations to end the conflict, which continues to restrict energy flows through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, where a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas transited before the war began in February. Grossi said he’s in touch with White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
“It’s on and off but there is a conversation,” said Grossi, adding his inspectors will remain critical to any outcome. “An agreement without verification is an illusion.”
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. is considering military action as negotiations with Iran stagnate.
- The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical point for global energy supplies.
- IAEA's verification role is essential for any potential agreement regarding Iran's nuclear material.
About the Author
Bobins Vayalil Abraham
Bobins loves telling the human side of all stories, from the intersection of geopolitics, international relations, and conflicts around the world. In his nearly one-and-a-half-decade career as a journalist, Bobins has covered South Asia, the Middle East, and North America, from elections to mass protests and conflicts. <br> Bobins has also done extensive reporting on environmental issues, climate change, and sustainability, focusing on solutions and people working to make the planet a better place to live. <br> In 2018, Bobins was awarded by Times Internet for the impact of his story on Delhi tree cuttings. Bobins also loves telling the stories of Indian startups and the journey of their founders. <br> Total Years of Experience: 14 <br> Years of experience at LM: Bobins has been a part of Live Mint since February 2026 <br> Interests: When he is not tracking conflicts, Bobins loves to cook, travel across India, click photos, and watch documentaries on history. Past Experience: Before joining Live Mint, Bobins worked with The Indian Express, where he led the Global Breaking News coverage, Indiatimes, where he led the news team, covering everything trending, ANI, where the focus of his coverage was South Asia, and NBS News. <br> Current Role: Bobins is currently working as an Assistant Editor at Live Mint.
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