The U.S. Targets New Goals in Iran to Prepare for Resuming Strikes
On May 27, Xinhua News Agency reported from Beijing that U.S. officials revealed to the media that the U.S. Department of Defense has drafted a list of targets for strikes within Iran, in preparation for President Trump potentially resuming military actions against Iran. However, sources analyzed that if the U.S. were to launch new strikes, the difficulty would be greater than before.
According to NBC News, the Pentagon is considering naming the potential military operation "Hammer," with targets including some nuclear facilities that were already struck by U.S. airstrikes last June, such as the Natanz and Isfahan nuclear facilities. The U.S. military may also target Iran's strategic oil facilities on Khark Island, as well as power plants, military command centers, and communication facilities.
According to informed sources, many of the targets within Iran that have already been struck are considered "low-hanging fruit," as those targets are "either stationary or not deeply buried in bunkers." However, missile launchers, drones, and other targets have now become more concealed and difficult to access, making it harder to locate and accurately strike them than before.
NBC News previously cited assessments from U.S. intelligence agencies reporting that Iran still possesses "considerable" combat capabilities, with aircraft and small vessels not being completely destroyed, and a significant number of missiles and their associated launch systems remaining due to being buried or relocated.
Additionally, several U.S. officials revealed that Iran has recently "limitedly resumed" production in its defense industry, but it is currently unclear how much the U.S. knows about these facilities, as their locations are quite concealed.
According to a report from the Iranian Tasnim News Agency on the 27th, an official from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, Mohammad Akbarzadeh, stated that the likelihood of a renewed war with the U.S. is "low," but Iran's armed forces are "fully loaded" and prepared. (Wang Yixin)
The U.S. Department of Defense has prepared a list of military targets in Iran, including nuclear facilities in Natanz and Isfahan, as well as strategic oil installations on Khark Island. This preparation comes amid concerns that renewed military action would face greater challenges due to Iran's improved concealment of military assets. U.S. intelligence indicates that Iran retains considerable military capabilities despite previous strikes.
- The U.S. has drafted a list of military targets in Iran.
- Potential targets include nuclear facilities and strategic oil installations.
- Iran's military capabilities remain significant despite previous strikes.
- Iran has recently limited the restart of its defense industrial production.
- U.S. officials assess that new strikes would be more challenging than before.