Pentagon seeks 'creative' ways to punish Iran, report says

The Pentagon is reportedly reaching out to military experts to crowdsource ideas on how to pressure Iran into a deal favorable to President Donald Trump's administration. According to a CNN report, an email from an officer in US Central Command's intelligence branch sought "new creative and unconventional ways to pressure and punish Iran." A Centcom spokesperson defended the move, stating it is not unusual and reflects the command's history of innovative thinking.

The report suggests the Pentagon may not have anticipated the conflict with Iran to extend this long. The ongoing US-Iranian conflict, which reportedly began on February 28, has led to Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz, causing energy prices to surge and impacting voters. On Sunday, Saudi Arabia's state media reported that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke with President Trump, stressing the importance of dialogue to de-escalate tensions and achieve a truce.

Iran has denied that any talks are currently underway with the US, despite a claim by Trump that negotiations would commence. Trump announced that talks would begin after he decided to hold off on further strikes against Iran. However, Iran's foreign ministry stated that discussions are ongoing with Oman concerning the Strait of Hormuz, not the United States. Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei described the talks with Oman as "constructive" and aimed at securing passage through the vital waterway.