Trump could approve Cooper’s intensive campaign or choose a more limited military strike that would leave room for diplomacy. The proposal remained under consideration and had not been approved when the Journal published its report.
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The deliberations followed Iran’s surprise missile attack on US forces in Jordan on Tuesday, July 28. Cooper’s command launched retaliatory strikes against Iran the following night, but it remained unclear whether a prolonged campaign would follow.
What is Brad Cooper’s plan?
Cooper has prepared a military option involving 10 to 14 days of sustained air strikes against Iran.The proposed campaign would aim to cripple Tehran’s missile capability and try to break the military stalemate between the two countries.
It is one of several options Cooper has developed. Trump could approve the extended campaign or order a more limited strike in the hope that diplomatic efforts could continue.
The proposal has not become an approved military operation. No public announcement has confirmed that Trump has authorised the full campaign.
Why does Cooper want the US to ‘go big’?
Cooper believes smaller retaliatory strikes have done little to deter Iran from attacking American forces or threatening ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
He maintains that Washington must intensify its air attacks and significantly blunt Iran’s missile threat for military action to be effective and to try to break the stalemate.
Cooper also believes a larger offensive would reduce the need for the US to use defensive munitions because Iran would have less capability to attack.
US defence secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly supports Cooper’s approach.
What concerns has General Dan Caine raised?
General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has taken a more cautious view of the available military options.
Caine has raised concerns about dwindling US stocks of air defence interceptors. These weapons are needed to protect American bases and allies elsewhere in the world as well as to counter Iranian missile attacks.
According to the report, Caine does not believe the limited inventories would prevent the US from resuming major combat operations against Iran. He believes, however, that the shortage would increase the risks.
Cooper argues that powerful air strikes would reduce Iran’s missile capability and its ability to retaliate. Under the approach associated with Caine, US air defences could instead be realigned in the region to strengthen protection around key sites.
Has Trump approved the two-week campaign?
Trump had not approved Cooper’s proposed campaign when the Journal published its report on Thursday, July 30.
A senior administration official described Trump as being in an “escalatory mood” but said he was still considering the extent of the US response.
Trump indicated on Wednesday that the US would strike Iran hard while allowing negotiations to continue.
He could approve Cooper’s intensive campaign or choose a more limited military strike in the hope that diplomacy could be pursued.
What happened after Iran’s surprise attack?
Iran launched missiles at US forces in Jordan on Tuesday. Centcom said all the Iranian missiles were intercepted and that US forces remained vigilant and at a high state of readiness.
Cooper’s command launched strikes against Iran on Wednesday night, describing the operation as a “powerful response” to Tehran’s attack.
Dozens of sites connected to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were struck, including command centres and missile and drone facilities.
It remained unclear whether the strikes would be followed by Cooper’s proposed prolonged campaign.
Could Israel participate?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Hegseth on Wednesday, a day after meeting Trump.
Israeli forces could be included in a major US attack if the Trump administration decided to return to major combat operations, officials cited by the Journal said.
No decision confirming Israeli participation in Cooper’s proposed campaign had been announced.
Why does Cooper believe more time is necessary?
Cooper has long believed military force could deal a severe blow to Iran if commanders were given enough time to conduct the operation.
Before the joint US-Israeli air campaign began on February 28, Cooper estimated that he would need at least six weeks to complete the operation.
By March 31, he believed the military needed about 20 more days to finish the campaign.
A US F-15E fighter was shot down over southwestern Iran on April 3, triggering a high-risk rescue mission. Both crew members were rescued, but the incident contributed to Trump’s decision to agree to a ceasefire several days later.
After the ceasefire, Hegseth said Iran’s missile programme had been “functionally destroyed”. US intelligence, however, assessed that Iran’s missile force had not been completely destroyed.
Iran demonstrated its remaining capability in mid-July, when a missile attack killed three US soldiers at an airbase in Jordan. It targeted American forces in the country again on Tuesday, although Centcom said all the missiles were intercepted.
Are Cooper, Caine and Hegseth divided?
The Pentagon has rejected suggestions that the three senior officials are divided over US operations involving Iran.
Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said Hegseth, Cooper and Caine were aligned on the mission, strategy and resolve concerning the operations.
Although Cooper and Caine have offered different assessments of the risks and available military options, the Pentagon maintains that the leadership is united and ready to carry out Trump’s decisions.
