The Pentagon is considering renaming the U.S. military operation against Iran to 'Operation Sledgehammer' if hostilities resume, according to a report from NBC News. The conflict, which began on February 28 under the name 'Operation Epic Fury,' has seen peace negotiations stall as both sides remain deadlocked.
Background of the conflict
The war initially commenced under the Trump administration's directive, but efforts to secure a lasting peace deal have faltered. President Donald Trump is reportedly weighing further military action if Iran does not agree to terms and reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz shipping route. A White House official indicated to NBC News that any renewed combat operations would be conducted under a new name and operation. Two U.S. officials confirmed that 'Operation Sledgehammer' is among several names under consideration.
Legal implications of renaming
According to a U.S. official, renaming the operation would, from the Trump administration's perspective, restart the 60-day clock under the War Powers Resolution of 1973. This law requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces to military action and forbids troops from remaining for more than 60 days without congressional authorization, plus a 30-day withdrawal period.
Last week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that 'Operation Epic Fury' was concluded. 'The operation, Epic Fury, is over. We achieved the objectives of that mission,' Rubio told reporters. A two-week truce between the U.S. and Iran was agreed on April 8, with the agreement extended indefinitely on April 21.
Congressional concerns
During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed that the administration's 'understanding' is that the 60-day clock 'pauses or stops' during a ceasefire. Senator Tim Kaine pushed back, suggesting he does not 'believe the statute would support that.'
Currently, Iran has restricted the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, while the United States maintains its own blockade in the region. President Trump is assessing options to reopen the strait and break the stalemate, one official told NBC News. Trump remains skeptical that diplomatic talks with the Islamic Republic will succeed but has not ordered the U.S. military to resume major combat operations, the official added.
Military posture
'The blockade is giving decision space without major combat operations or putting a lot of folks at risk,' the official said. 'The status quo will not persist.' If another campaign is launched, the U.S. military presence in the region is larger than at the start of the conflict, two officials told NBC News. 'We are in a better spot now than on February 27. We have more firepower and capability,' one official stated.
On Truth Social, Trump branded an Iranian proposal to end the war as 'TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.' Speaking in the Oval Office on Monday, the president claimed that the ceasefire is on 'massive life support.'
