Pentagon Weighs 'Operation Sledgehammer' for Iran War as 60-Day Congress Clock Could Reset
Updated
Updated · NBC News · May 12
Pentagon Weighs 'Operation Sledgehammer' for Iran War as 60-Day Congress Clock Could Reset
8 articles · Updated · NBC News · May 12
U.S. officials said the Pentagon is considering renaming any renewed Iran campaign “Operation Sledgehammer” if the ceasefire fails and Donald Trump orders major combat operations again.
That new name would help the administration argue a fresh war-powers timeline has begun, after it told Congress in early April that Operation Epic Fury had ended following 40 days of fighting.
Recent U.S.-Iran exchanges, Iran’s halt to ship passage in the Strait of Hormuz and Trump’s rejection of Tehran’s latest proposal have deepened doubts about diplomacy; Trump called the ceasefire’s survival odds about 1%.
Senior officials including Marco Rubio, Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine met Monday on Iran options, while Trump said he would confer with generals and has not yet ordered renewed major combat.
If he does, officials said U.S. forces are better positioned than on Feb. 27, with an added carrier strike group and rearmed assets already in the region.
Is America's military pressure forcing Iran to build the nuclear weapon it seeks to prevent?
With 75% of U.S. carriers enforcing a blockade, is the American military approaching a breaking point?
As the Strait of Hormuz remains shut, how long until the global economy faces a severe recession?
The 2026 US-Iran War: War Powers Showdown, Military Stalemate, and Global Fallout
Overview
As of May 2026, the United States faces a growing controversy over its military operations in Iran, sparked by the launch of Operation Epic Fury in February and a major buildup of U.S. forces in the region. Tensions are high around the Strait of Hormuz, with the Trump administration considering further military action. This escalation has triggered a heated debate about the War Powers Resolution, as the conflict has passed the 60-day limit without congressional approval. The situation highlights deep divisions in Congress and raises serious questions about presidential authority and the future of U.S. involvement in the Middle East.