U.S. Strikes on Iran Prepare Ground for Broader Operations, Officials Say

Three U.S. officials said recent strikes on Iran are degrading air defenses, coastal radar, missile and drone sites, and maritime assets while keeping broader military options open. One official described the attacks as shaping operations that could prepare the battlefield for more intensive action if President Donald Trump orders it. The officials said the campaign is also intended to force open the Strait of Hormuz after Iranian attacks on passing tankers and Gulf neighbors. A fourth official said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has advocated escalating the operation, while the Pentagon did not immediately comment.