Pentagon considering renaming Iran war ‘Sledgehammer’ if ceasefire collapses

Key Points:

• The White House is considering new military combat operations against Iran under a different name, such as Operation Sledgehammer, which would effectively restart the congressional notification process under the War Powers Resolution.
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Operation Epic Fury is over, with offensive combat operations paused after 40 days, and the Trump administration argues it has not reached the 60-day limit requiring congressional authorization.
• Tensions remain high as Iran has halted ship passage in the Strait of Hormuz and the U.S. maintains a blockade, with President Trump skeptical of diplomatic talks and rejecting Iran’s recent ceasefire proposal.
• Trump plans to meet with senior military leaders to discuss options regarding Iran, while also prioritizing his upcoming trip to China, a key Iranian oil purchaser and accused by the U.S. of aiding Iran’s military targeting.
• The U.S. military presence and capability in the region have increased since February, with additional forces and rearmed assets now in place, positioning the U.S. better for potential renewed combat operations.