The Wall Street Journal reports that Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), has drafted a 10–14 day intensive strike plan against Iran. The report provides no specific targets or timeline for approval.
The Wall Street Journal reported overnight that CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper has drafted an intensive 10–14 day strike plan against Iran. The report, published at Thu 01:46 Jerusalem, does not provide specific targets or a timeline for presidential approval. It emerges after earlier versions of the same story noted that the plan is designed to degrade Iran's missile capabilities while avoiding overstretching the U.S. interceptor stock, and that Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Kaine has expressed reservations about resuming hostilities.
The WSJ story has evolved through the night. The initial report, published at Thu 01:46 Jerusalem, stated that Cooper had prepared the plan. A subsequent version added that the plan faces internal criticism within the U.S. administration. A third version specified that the plan aims to preserve interceptor stocks and that General Kaine has reservations. The Zioneer's own coverage of the same story, published at Thu 01:47 Jerusalem, elaborated on the interceptor and Kaine details. These developments come shortly after CENTCOM announced a new wave of strikes in Iran at Thu 00:53 Jerusalem, ending a six-day operational pause.
The broader U.S. air campaign against Iran has been ongoing since June 2026, following Iranian provocations against American forces and shipping. As The Zioneer reported, CENTCOM launched strikes on multiple nights, including the seventh consecutive night on July 17. The campaign has targeted Iranian missile capabilities and infrastructure. The draft plan represents a potential escalation of that campaign, aiming to further degrade Iran's military capabilities.
It remains unclear whether President Trump has approved the plan. The report provides no specific targets or timeline for a decision. General Kaine's reported reservations indicate ongoing internal debate within the U.S. administration regarding the scale and timing of any escalation.
5 developments
- ConfirmedTrump discussed a short but extensive military operation in Iran, the White House weighs short-duration campaign
- StrongTrump expected to meet Pentagon, defense industry leaders Wednesday on post-Iran-war arms production
- StrongTrump orders military chiefs to intensify strikes on Iran after arrival of fallen soldiers' bodies
- StrongTrump says Iran asked for funeral pause, then fired missiles: 'they deserve it'
Source and signal
- Open-source intake