The administration of US President Donald Trump is reportedly considering launching a new military campaign against Iran under a different operational name, including a proposal referred to as “Operation Sledgehammer,” should the current ceasefire collapse, according to a report by NBC News on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.
The report, published on Tuesday, stated that US officials are discussing the possibility of replacing the previous campaign designation, “Operation Epic Fury,” if Washington decides to resume large-scale military operations against Tehran.
According to NBC News, the internal discussions reflect growing concerns within parts of the US administration that renewed conflict with Iran could become likely due to stalled diplomatic negotiations and ongoing tensions in the Gulf region, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz.
The report further noted that some officials believe rebranding any renewed military action under a new operational name could help the White House argue that such action constitutes a separate and distinct conflict. This interpretation is linked to provisions of the 1973 War Powers Resolution, which limits the duration and scope of military engagements without congressional authorization.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently told reporters that “Operation Epic Fury” had officially concluded following a temporary agreement between Washington and Tehran to halt hostilities and move toward negotiations.
However, NBC reported that US military presence and operational capabilities in the Middle East have significantly increased since the outbreak of hostilities earlier in the year, suggesting that the Pentagon remains prepared for rapid escalation if diplomatic efforts fail.
The Pentagon has not publicly responded to requests for comment on the reported discussions.
Tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran escalated sharply after coordinated strikes were launched against Iran on February 28. The resulting conflict triggered retaliatory attacks from Tehran targeting Israeli territory and US-aligned Gulf states, as well as disruption of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy corridor.
A ceasefire brokered through Pakistani mediation reportedly took effect on April 8, temporarily halting direct military operations. However, subsequent negotiations held in Islamabad failed to produce a durable long-term agreement between the parties involved.
Although the truce was later extended indefinitely by President Trump amid continued diplomatic deadlock, efforts to revive formal peace talks have so far made limited progress.
In recent developments, Trump expressed frustration over Iran’s response to a US proposal aimed at permanently ending the conflict, describing it as “totally unacceptable,” further highlighting the fragility of the diplomatic process.
Meanwhile, Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has maintained that there is “no alternative” but to respect what Tehran describes as the legitimate rights of the Iranian people, as outlined in its proposed framework for ending the war…….See More
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