CENTCOM Sought Unconventional Ideas to Pressure Iran

A senior officer in US Central Command’s intelligence branch sent an email Wednesday seeking “new creative and unconventional” ideas to pressure and punish Iran, according to a source familiar with the message cited by Egypt Independent.

The message went to a broad group of military analysts, the source said. A second source said a senior US military officer sent the message last week to solicit new ideas for dealing with Iran. Military officials said the crowdsourcing-style query was unusual over email.

Capt. Timothy Hawkins, a CENTCOM spokesperson, said in a statement that “U.S. Central Command has a long history of thinking and working in innovative ways.” He said Admiral Cooper “reaches out to members of our great team, regardless of rank, to achieve the highest levels of operational performance possible.”

The report said the email came as President Donald Trump weighed limited options in the war with Iran and before he threatened new strikes. Trump called off those strikes over the weekend after regional officials, specifically Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, called him and urged de-escalation, the article said.