US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Donald Trump are planning a “final strike” in the war against Iran.Image: keystone
March 26, 2026, 4:02 p.mMarch 26, 2026, 4:02 p.m
The Pentagon is currently preparing military options for a “final strike” against Iran. This is reported by the US news website “Axios” citing two US officials and two sources familiar with the matter. The military offensive could include the deployment of ground troops as well as a “massive bombing campaign,” writes “Axios.”
The trigger for the preparations is the concern that diplomatic efforts to end the war will fail and the Strait of Hormuz will remain blocked.
“The president is not bluffing and is ready to let all hell break loose.”
According to government sources, Trump has not yet made a decision; any ground operation is “hypothetical,” they say. However, Trump is prepared to escalate the situation if the talks with Iran do not produce results soon. US government spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said Trump would hit “harder than ever before” in this case. “The president is not bluffing and is ready to let all hell break loose.”
According to Axios, the options include the invasion or blockade of central islands such as Kharg – Iran’s most important oil export center -, Larak or Abu Musa, as well as interference in Iran’s oil exports. But the US military is also preparing plans for ground operations inside Iran to secure the highly enriched uranium buried in nuclear facilities.
In return, Tehran is threatening massive retaliation if the Trump administration’s plans become reality.
Tehran calls for an end to all hostilities
At the same time, discussions are continuing through international mediators – but there is great mistrust on both sides. Trump had sent Iran a 15-point proposal to end the war, to which Iran has now responded, according to the Tasnim news agency. The answer came last night via intermediaries.
According to an “informed source” in the news agency, Iran is calling for an end to all hostilities on all fronts – including in Lebanon and Iraq. In addition, the USA and Israel should stop targeted killings. Iran also demands guarantees to prevent another war.
It is considered unlikely that the USA will accept two other Iranian demands: war reparations and the recognition of Iranian sovereign rights over the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20 percent of global energy trade passes.
Tehran also accuses Washington of simply wanting to gain time as it prepares for a possible ground offensive. Iran is now waiting for a response from the USA. (hkl, with material from sda/dpa)