Pentagon prepares for massive "final blow" of Iran war

The Pentagon is preparing multiple military options for a potential "final blow" against Iran, including ground invasions of strategic islands, massive bombing campaigns, and strikes on nuclear facilities, according to U.S. officials and sources with knowledge of internal discussions. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt warned Iran on Wednesday that President Trump is ready to strike "harder than ever before" if negotiations fail, with reinforcements including fighter jet squadrons and thousands of troops from the 82nd Airborne Division expected to arrive in the Middle East in coming weeks. The four primary scenarios under consideration include invading or blockading Kharg Island (Iran's main oil export hub), seizing islands that control the Strait of Hormuz, or conducting air strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Iranian officials reject Trump's negotiation overtures as a ruse, with parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warning on Wednesday that any military action against Iranian islands would trigger "relentless attacks" on vital regional infrastructure. Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey are attempting to broker talks between the parties, though Iran rejected the initial U.S. demands and commanders of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps remain highly skeptical of negotiations.