U.S. Officials Discuss Potential Expansion of Military Operations in Iran

U.S. officials told reporters that the Trump administration is assessing options for a wider military campaign against Iran, though they expressed concerns about the ability to sustain such operations. An unnamed official said the White House may not be fully aware of the logistical challenges.

According to a report, President Trump held a Situation Room meeting to discuss possible seizure of strategic locations such as Kharg Island and other territory near the Strait of Hormuz, as well as additional airstrikes on sites linked to Iran's nuclear program. The same source indicated that expanding attacks on energy facilities remains under consideration.

The United States has conducted airstrikes for nine consecutive nights, targeting Iranian command centers, air defense, coastal surveillance, missile and drone launch sites, and communications networks, as well as bridges and power infrastructure. Iranian forces have responded with retaliatory strikes on U.S. installations in the region.

Three U.S. service members were killed over the weekend, two in a missile attack in Jordan and one in Iraq, bringing the total U.S. fatalities in the conflict to 17. President Trump expressed regret over the deaths.

The National Iranian American Council warned that the current dynamics could lead to strategic miscalculations by both sides, noting that policymakers might underestimate each other's willingness to endure losses.

Hamidreza Azizi, a visiting fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, wrote that recent attacks along Iran's southern coast suggest a gradual shift toward a possible ground operation. He cautioned that controlling Iran's extensive coastline would require a substantial troop presence, and said indicators point to a potential escalation in the U.S.-Iran confrontation.