US commanders to brief Trump over West Asia war:Report says likely to present 3 new military options to end the conflict

President Donald Trump will receive a briefing on Thursday from the head of US Central Command, Brad Cooper, on new plans for possible military action against Iran, according to an Axios report published on Wednesday. The briefing suggests Trump is seriously considering restarting major combat operations, either to break the deadlock in negotiations or to deliver a final blow before ending the war. CENTCOM prepares strike plans Axios said CENTCOM has prepared a plan for a “short and powerful” wave of strikes on Iran, likely including infrastructure targets. A fragile ceasefire in the Iran war began three weeks ago. The war started when the US and Israel attacked Iran on 28 February. Iran then responded with its own strikes on Israel and Gulf states hosting US bases. US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed thousands and displaced millions. Strait of Hormuz option under review Another plan expected to be presented to Trump focuses on taking control of part of the Strait of Hormuz to reopen it for commercial shipping. The report added that such an operation could involve ground forces. The war, which remains unpopular in the United States, has shaken markets and pushed oil prices higher. Traffic through the strait, a key route for about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, has slowed sharply. Washington hopes to push Iran into taking a more flexible position in nuclear negotiations, Axios reported. Special forces option also possible Another option that may be discussed during the briefing is a special forces operation to secure Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, Axios said. Trump has described Iran’s nuclear programme as an immediate threat. Tehran denies seeking nuclear weapons, but says it has the right to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, including enrichment, as a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Top military officials to attend Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine is also expected to attend Thursday’s briefing, according to Axios. ​