Trump Weighs Direct Raids as U.S. Expands Air Campaign Against Iran

The U.S. confrontation with Iran has entered an aggressive new phase as President Trump reportedly considers expanded military options, including "boots on the ground" scenarios and specialized raids. According to reports, military planners are evaluating a special operations mission specifically targeting nuclear materials located near Isfahan. This marks a significant shift from previous air-strike-only strategies toward direct seizure and raid scenarios. Concurrently, a Pentagon-related briefing detailed a massive, sustained air campaign that has already struck over 7,000 targets across Iran. The strikes have heavily targeted Iranian air defenses, naval capabilities, and the industrial infrastructure responsible for producing missiles and drones. Officials indicated a clear intention to continue striking deeper into Iranian territory to systematically degrade the country's military-industrial capacity. On the diplomatic front, the situation remains precarious. While the Trump administration maintains a deal-making posture, a recent analysis suggests the framework for a durable settlement is fragile and lacks regional confidence. Gulf Arab partners remain deeply concerned about Iranian proxy militias, describing the current climate as a "no peace, no war" stalemate. Meanwhile, tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have escalated, with intelligence suggesting Iran has restored most of its missile positions along the vital maritime chokepoint.