US weighs fresh Iran strikes as Trump considers new 'Operation Sledgehammer'

The Trump administration is weighing a fresh round of military action against Iran and has also discussed giving any renewed campaign a new name.

The plans, described by the Hindustan Times as a contingency for a ceasefire breakdown, come after Trump returned from China on Friday following talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Trump told reporters that Xi agreed Tehran must reopen the Strait of Hormuz, though Beijing did not publicly confirm that position.

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A new name, same old business

One of the names under discussion is “Operation Sledgehammer,” a possible replacement for the earlier label “Operation Epic Fury” if the conflict resumes.

The U.S. administration had previously ended Operation Epic Fury after Washington and Tehran reached a ceasefire in April and agreed to continue diplomatic talks.

Trump has not yet made a final decision on the next step. The proposed new name is only one of the options under consideration.

The strait becomes a sticky wicket

The conflict with Iran has centered on two unresolved issues: Iran’s nuclear stockpile and the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump told reporters in Beijing, “We don’t want them to have a nuclear weapon; we want the straits open,” while also saying, “I’m not asking for any favors because when you ask for favors, you have to do favors in return.”

Iran has effectively shut the strait, which previously carried one-fifth of the global oil and liquefied natural gas supply. The disruption has triggered a major oil supply crisis around the world, with fuel prices driving inflation.

Also Read | Trump delegation left China with no souvenirs, no personal devices and no trace: Report

Trust takes a turn for the worse

The diplomatic track remains stalled. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a lack of trust is the biggest obstacle in talks with Washington and that contradictory messages from the U.S. had “made us reluctant about the real intentions of Americans.”

He added that negotiations could move forward if Washington was prepared for a “fair and balanced deal.”

Trump, meanwhile, has dismissed Iran’s latest formal response as “garbage.”

Tehran has said its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, while Washington continues to demand a major rollback of Iran’s enrichment activities.

By jove, the red line hardens

The US and Israel have been preparing for the possibility of fresh attacks against Iran. Officials say the readiness measures are the largest since the ceasefire took effect and could lead to military action as early as next week.

Trump has threatened to resume attacks if Iran does not agree to a deal. The Iranian officials have asked for diplomatic help, particularly from China, to ease tensions.