The US military command overseeing operations in the Middle East has asked analysts for “new ideas” on how to pressure Iran and push it towards negotiations on terms favoured by President Donald Trump, according to two sources familiar with the request.

The prompt came in an email sent by a senior officer in the intelligence branch of US Central Command (CENTCOM) to a broad group of military analysts on Wednesday, one source said. A second source said a senior US military officer issued a similar request last week to gather additional options for dealing with Iran.

The outreach, which officials said was unusual to run through email, was seen as a sign that the range of available moves for Trump appears limited. CENTCOM officials also acknowledged in the message that the strategy may need reassessment.

In a statement, CENTCOM spokesperson Capt. Timothy Hawkins said the command has a record of working in innovative ways, adding that Admiral Cooper reaches out across the team, regardless of rank, to improve operational performance.

CENTCOM Email Message Raises Pressure For New Options

Trump’s review of strategy has taken place alongside repeated military actions over recent weeks. The US has carried out air strikes intended to degrade Iran’s ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and to bring Tehran back to the negotiating table, but no deal has emerged.

The email request arrived shortly before Trump threatened further strikes on Iran, only to call them off over the weekend after intervention by regional officials, including Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, who urged de-escalation.

Strike Plans Face Military And Political Limits

According to two sources familiar with planning, the US military has prepared for attacks on “Pickaxe Mountain” and other Iranian sites believed to hold nuclear material or equipment. Trump has also been weighing intensified strikes, including renewed efforts against remaining Iranian nuclear facilities, which he previously claimed were destroyed in last summer’s campaign.

However, the sources said that even with US conventional firepower, missiles and bombs alone are unlikely to be decisive because the facilities are buried deep underground. Achieving greater effect would probably require ground forces, a course described as a major risk that Trump has been reluctant to take. The sources also pointed to concerns about transparency around service member casualties, with 18 US personnel reported killed so far.

One line of consideration described to the sources was a strike approach intended to deliver a symbolic display of force, in a “fireworks” style, aimed at hitting the same or similar sites previously targeted. That approach could help Trump argue progress without delivering the initial objective of ending Iran’s nuclear programme.

Another central issue remains Iran’s stance on control and claims related to the Strait of Hormuz, which has become the core of the wider dispute.

Intelligence Views Bombing As Insufficient

Recent assessments by the Central Intelligence Agency and the Defense Intelligence Agency have concluded that the type of bombing the US is conducting is unlikely to change Iran’s negotiating position, according to reporting by CNN.

Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Trump’s most senior military adviser, has also acknowledged publicly that air strikes alone cannot meet all of the administration’s stated war aims. Speaking to lawmakers last month, he said air power has limits.

Options for escalation have been discussed for months, with additional military assets deployed to the region in anticipation of a decision. Officials said one CENTCOM plan would involve heavy bombardment over one or two weeks to target Iran’s missile capabilities.

Trump has so far held back, including after hearing concerns from Caine about shrinking stocks of air-defence interceptors. Other officials have raised risks of high civilian casualties if strikes expanded to infrastructure targets such as bridges or water desalination plants.

Possible paths for escalation discussed in planning include sending US troops, including threats Trump has raised about occupying the strategic island of Kharg or seeking to remove Iran’s highly enriched uranium. Such steps would, however, conflict with a pledge Trump made to his supporters in 2024, saying he would not send Americans to fight and die in “stupid foreign wars that never ends”.

In a Cabinet meeting on Friday, Trump said he wanted to “win”, adding that at some point Iran would decide it could not endure the pressure.

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4 August 2026

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Trump has spent months declaring the US has already “won,” yet now insists he wants to “win”!

Gen. Caine’s caution about interceptor shortages and civilian casualties shows the military is still aware of the realities, while Trump’s core tenet remains on victory defined as humiliation of the other side.

Escalation options like Kharg occupation or uranium seizure are totally at odds with his 2024 pledge of “no stupid foreign wars”!

In short, the Pentagon is gaming scenarios, but unless someone convinces Trump to redefine what “winning” means, the search for "new ideas" is doomed to continuing circular logic.

The war was supposed to be over in five days but there is no end in sight and it's Iran that's dictating when it ends. Trump doesn't know what to do. Combined this with domestic inflation, electorate dissatisfaction and a war with no end in site and Trump the megalomaniac is up sh*# creek without a paddle.

1. President Trump please resign the only way this war can be won is if you're not involved on any level.

2. Stop making the ignorant and false presumption that this war can be run through a bombing campaign. Try to pay attention to history which tells us that no war since World War I has ever been won without a significant presence of boots on the ground.

3. Stop using incredible incompetents like Kushner, Vance and Witkoff to handle the negotiations.

4. Stop the ignorance!

Robert Brovdi, known as Magyar, the charismatic commander of Ukraine’s drone forces, is one of the most striking examples of the Ukrainian army’s transformation into a modern technological force. His influence is already clearly visible and is likely to grow even further in the future, according to Ukrainian military expert Viktor Kevlyuk.

When the full-scale war with Russia began in February 2022, he volunteered for the Ukrainian defense forces. For people of his wealth and social status, such a step was rather exceptional.

The unit he created, Magyar’s Birds, gradually grew into a regiment and is now the 414th Strike Drone Brigade. This brigade was, and remains, one of the most effective units carrying out attacks on Russian territory.

As commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces — the so-called drone forces — Magyar undoubtedly plays a key role in carrying out long-range strikes on Russian territory.

The Baltic Sentinel

Article photo

The commander of Ukraine’s drone forces, Robert Brovdi — call sign Magyar — in Mykolaiv Oblast in the fall of 2022. Photo: Olga Sošenko / Postimees

WAR IN UKRAINE

Magyar: The Controversial Commander Behind Ukraine’s Drone Revolution

Listen

Viktor Kevlyuk, Colonel (Ret.), Ukrainian Army

24th June 2026, 23:24

Robert Brovdi, known as Magyar, the charismatic commander of Ukraine’s drone forces, is one of the most striking examples of the Ukrainian army’s transformation into a modern technological force. His influence is already clearly visible and is likely to grow even further in the future, according to Ukrainian military expert Viktor Kevlyuk.

Major Robert Brovdi, call sign Magyar, is a controversial figure. From 2010 to 2015, he was a successful businessman active in grain trading, real estate and construction. He was also a member of the Transcarpathian Oblast Council and had political connections.

Before the war — meaning before the summer of 2014 — he became embroiled in several business scandals. These were typical scandals for Ukraine’s agricultural business at the time: corruption, political lobbying and opaque public procurement. Criminal cases were opened against Brovdi, but he was never convicted of anything. After 2015, Brovdi managed to conduct his business without major public scandals.

When the full-scale war with Russia began in February 2022, he volunteered for the Ukrainian defense forces. For people of his wealth and social status, such a step was rather exceptional.

The unit he created, Magyar’s Birds, gradually grew into a regiment and is now the 414th Strike Drone Brigade. This brigade was, and remains, one of the most effective units carrying out attacks on Russian territory.

As commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces — the so-called drone forces — Magyar undoubtedly plays a key role in carrying out long-range strikes on Russian territory.

A fighter from Magyar’s Birds monitoring the situation in the unit’s headquarters in the fall of 2022 on the section of the southern front under their control.

A fighter from Magyar’s Birds monitoring the situation in the unit’s headquarters in the fall of 2022 on the section of the southern front under their control. Photo: Olga Sošenko/Postimees

After becoming commander of the force, Magyar received broader authority to coordinate the activities of all unmanned systems — aerial, ground and naval drones. This made it possible to systematize long-range strikes against Russian oil refineries, airfields, warehouses, defense-industry facilities and logistics centers. Many of the attacks carried out in the Moscow region were directly led by him.

Since being appointed commander of all drone forces a year ago, he has become one of the main architects of systematic long-range strike campaigns. He is not the only one — the HUR, Ukraine’s military intelligence; the SBU, Ukraine’s Security Service; the Special Operations Forces and others also have their roles — but it is the Unmanned Systems Forces under his command that have given these attacks scale, regularity and a focus on strategic targets. He has spoken publicly about intensifying such attacks and turning Moscow into “a city that no longer sleeps.”

Magyar is a classic example of a new type of “military entrepreneur.”

From the first days of the full-scale invasion, he began experimenting with commercial drones at his own expense, despite bureaucratic obstacles. He quickly grasped the potential of the mass use of FPV drones and UAVs not only as reconnaissance tools, but as a main strike force.

His effectiveness can be explained by several factors. The first is practical experience: Magyar did not simply inherit a structure, but built one from scratch. What began as a small group under his command grew into a brigade and later started to influence an entire branch of the armed forces.

Equally important is his focus on results rather than procedures. He introduced a system for measuring battlefield effectiveness through points awarded for destroyed targets. This created a clear incentive structure for soldiers and helped set ambitious goals, including the aim of destroying more Russian personnel each month than Russia is able to mobilize — more than 30,000 people a month.

Magyar’s command style is also marked by an innovative approach and a capacity for fast learning. The evolution of his forces from simple FPV drones to sophisticated long-range systems, combined operations and mass attacks shows how quickly battlefield experience has been turned into new tactics. His personal qualities have mattered as well: charisma, strong media skills and a willingness to take responsibility. Crucially, he has not been afraid of conflict with the system. As a result, he has become a symbol of a new generation of commanders breaking with the Soviet legacy.

His most important achievements include the creation of the world’s first separate branch of the armed forces focused exclusively on unmanned systems — in the air, on land and at sea. He has also promoted a strategic focus on wearing down the Russian army, including an order to direct more than 30 percent of strikes against personnel rather than only against equipment or infrastructure.

https://balticsentinel.eu/8496687/magyar-the-controversial-commander-behind-ukraine-s-drone-revolution

So how about firing Little Pete, and hiring some Ukrainian Consultants who actually have vision and intelligence to spearhead this campaign?

14 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Robert Brovdi, known as Magyar, the charismatic commander of Ukraine’s drone forces, is one of the most striking examples of the Ukrainian army’s transformation into a modern technological force. His influence is already clearly visible and is likely to grow even further in the future, according to Ukrainian military expert Viktor Kevlyuk.

When the full-scale war with Russia began in February 2022, he volunteered for the Ukrainian defense forces. For people of his wealth and social status, such a step was rather exceptional.

The unit he created, Magyar’s Birds, gradually grew into a regiment and is now the 414th Strike Drone Brigade. This brigade was, and remains, one of the most effective units carrying out attacks on Russian territory.

As commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces — the so-called drone forces — Magyar undoubtedly plays a key role in carrying out long-range strikes on Russian territory.

The Baltic Sentinel

Article photo

The commander of Ukraine’s drone forces, Robert Brovdi — call sign Magyar — in Mykolaiv Oblast in the fall of 2022. Photo: Olga Sošenko / Postimees

WAR IN UKRAINE

Magyar: The Controversial Commander Behind Ukraine’s Drone Revolution

Listen

Viktor Kevlyuk, Colonel (Ret.), Ukrainian Army

24th June 2026, 23:24

Robert Brovdi, known as Magyar, the charismatic commander of Ukraine’s drone forces, is one of the most striking examples of the Ukrainian army’s transformation into a modern technological force. His influence is already clearly visible and is likely to grow even further in the future, according to Ukrainian military expert Viktor Kevlyuk.

Major Robert Brovdi, call sign Magyar, is a controversial figure. From 2010 to 2015, he was a successful businessman active in grain trading, real estate and construction. He was also a member of the Transcarpathian Oblast Council and had political connections.

Before the war — meaning before the summer of 2014 — he became embroiled in several business scandals. These were typical scandals for Ukraine’s agricultural business at the time: corruption, political lobbying and opaque public procurement. Criminal cases were opened against Brovdi, but he was never convicted of anything. After 2015, Brovdi managed to conduct his business without major public scandals.

When the full-scale war with Russia began in February 2022, he volunteered for the Ukrainian defense forces. For people of his wealth and social status, such a step was rather exceptional.

The unit he created, Magyar’s Birds, gradually grew into a regiment and is now the 414th Strike Drone Brigade. This brigade was, and remains, one of the most effective units carrying out attacks on Russian territory.

As commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces — the so-called drone forces — Magyar undoubtedly plays a key role in carrying out long-range strikes on Russian territory.

A fighter from Magyar’s Birds monitoring the situation in the unit’s headquarters in the fall of 2022 on the section of the southern front under their control.

A fighter from Magyar’s Birds monitoring the situation in the unit’s headquarters in the fall of 2022 on the section of the southern front under their control. Photo: Olga Sošenko/Postimees

After becoming commander of the force, Magyar received broader authority to coordinate the activities of all unmanned systems — aerial, ground and naval drones. This made it possible to systematize long-range strikes against Russian oil refineries, airfields, warehouses, defense-industry facilities and logistics centers. Many of the attacks carried out in the Moscow region were directly led by him.

Since being appointed commander of all drone forces a year ago, he has become one of the main architects of systematic long-range strike campaigns. He is not the only one — the HUR, Ukraine’s military intelligence; the SBU, Ukraine’s Security Service; the Special Operations Forces and others also have their roles — but it is the Unmanned Systems Forces under his command that have given these attacks scale, regularity and a focus on strategic targets. He has spoken publicly about intensifying such attacks and turning Moscow into “a city that no longer sleeps.”

Magyar is a classic example of a new type of “military entrepreneur.”

From the first days of the full-scale invasion, he began experimenting with commercial drones at his own expense, despite bureaucratic obstacles. He quickly grasped the potential of the mass use of FPV drones and UAVs not only as reconnaissance tools, but as a main strike force.

His effectiveness can be explained by several factors. The first is practical experience: Magyar did not simply inherit a structure, but built one from scratch. What began as a small group under his command grew into a brigade and later started to influence an entire branch of the armed forces.

Equally important is his focus on results rather than procedures. He introduced a system for measuring battlefield effectiveness through points awarded for destroyed targets. This created a clear incentive structure for soldiers and helped set ambitious goals, including the aim of destroying more Russian personnel each month than Russia is able to mobilize — more than 30,000 people a month.

Magyar’s command style is also marked by an innovative approach and a capacity for fast learning. The evolution of his forces from simple FPV drones to sophisticated long-range systems, combined operations and mass attacks shows how quickly battlefield experience has been turned into new tactics. His personal qualities have mattered as well: charisma, strong media skills and a willingness to take responsibility. Crucially, he has not been afraid of conflict with the system. As a result, he has become a symbol of a new generation of commanders breaking with the Soviet legacy.

His most important achievements include the creation of the world’s first separate branch of the armed forces focused exclusively on unmanned systems — in the air, on land and at sea. He has also promoted a strategic focus on wearing down the Russian army, including an order to direct more than 30 percent of strikes against personnel rather than only against equipment or infrastructure.

https://balticsentinel.eu/8496687/magyar-the-controversial-commander-behind-ukraine-s-drone-revolution

So how about firing Little Pete, and hiring some Ukrainian Consultants who actually have vision and intelligence to spearhead this campaign?

Maybe ask your AI for something relevant to the OP : US lilitary asks troops for creative ideas to pressure IRAN.

But apparently all the AI the US uses is not enough , they need the troops to come up with ideas.

Posted all over the Pentagon

I think that's a brilliant way to find out what everybody's thinking. You never know what hidden gems you're gonna find in the rockpile.... some of his histories's greatest strategists started life as a private but because of chain of command they took a long time to surface.... remove that chain of command and I am sure it will work out well

21 minutes ago, FlorC said:

they need the troops to come up with ideas.

I am curious why you think that's a bad idea?

And the most frequently submitted response is.

“Let the IDF do fighting’

King Donald 1 is abdicating

Perhaps next time listen to military analysts before you do something stupid. They told you as they did to previous presidents that it’s not a good idea.

Texas has a horrible problem with feral hogs tearing up the fields.

The USA has lots of retired airplanes that can carry feral hogs. They can configure the planes as pilotless drones.

Iranians can't eat them.

2 minutes ago, AustinRacing said:

Perhaps next time listen to military analysts before you do something stupid. They told you as they did to previous presidents that it’s not a good idea.

That's why Iran has been a problem for over 47 years, sponsoring terrorists and killing Americans and our allies. Gutless presidents.

I think you’re confusing gutless with pragmatism. If he’s doing the right thing why majority of Americans are pissed off about it. Ditto for us military personnel, gop and dems, isreal, gulf nations, Europeans, economists and the list goes on.

Such a shame Robin Williams is dead, and Trump wants to ban Transgenders, there must be a few LGBTQ's as well kicking about, I'm smiling just thinging about that combination, Good Morning Iran, (Mincing into Tehran), it would be comedy of the year.

45 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

And the most frequently submitted response is.

“Let the IDF do fighting’

"Put Barron Trump on the front to lead the troops."

1 hour ago, FlorC said:

Maybe ask your AI for something relevant to the OP : US lilitary asks troops for creative ideas to pressure IRAN.

But apparently all the AI the US uses is not enough , they need the troops to come up with ideas.

Ha. It's a bit like asking Justin Bieber to solve the nuclear fusion issue. If Trump and Little Pete simply listened to the advice they were given, instead of incessantly thumping their chest like apes in a jungle, this campaign would have gone a lot better or it wouldn't have happened at all.

There's no point in even trying to make excuses for them at this point, as the entire form will simply laugh at your petty logic.

Edited August 4Aug 4 by spidermike007

1 hour ago, wombat said:

I am curious why you think that's a bad idea?

It shows the extreme level of desperation that the command structure has, with their inability to come up with any ideas at this point. And it also demonstrates the fact that they're finally coming to terms with the fact that no war since World War I has ever been won without boots on the ground.

So the continued bombing campaigns that the Goomba keeps threatening mean absolutely nothing to anybody, except perhaps oil traders.

If anything Iran has become more emboldened by Trump's inability to Pivot away from plan A. I think they're shaking their heads and rolling their eyes and how incredibly dull Trump truly is.

16 minutes ago, connda said:

"Put Barron Trump on the front to lead the troops."

It's a good idea and I would suggest including Don Jr, and Eric too, possibly even Ivanka.

If presidents and leaders were actually required to fight themselves like the brave kings in the old days, or if they were required to sacrifice their offspring when declaring war, history would have been written very differently. Time to send the Trump kids to the front lines. If nothing else it would prevent them from grifting billions upon billions.

This latest move shows the admin and their real estate 'diplomats' et al as essentially clueless....

That adage from AA "Keep doing the same thing and expecting a different outcome is crazy" seems to fit.

Seems no good way to get US out of this. Seem to be at this stage:

Edited August 4Aug 4 by Emdog
dang hard to get images loaded sometimes!

44 minutes ago, AustinRacing said:

Perhaps next time listen to military analysts before you do something stupid. They told you as they did to previous presidents that it’s not a good idea.

Quite true, but those "previous presidents" probably didn't have compromising material that could be used against them by Mossad if they stepped out of line.

1 hour ago, AustinRacing said:

I think you’re confusing gutless with pragmatism. If he’s doing the right thing why majority of Americans are pissed off about it. Ditto for us military personnel, gop and dems, isreal, gulf nations, Europeans, economists and the list goes on.

Pragmatism? Presidents have been kicking that can down the road ever since the Carter debacle in the desert, until a nuclear Iran was imminent.

I don't claim to know how close they were. But I'm pretty sure they wouldn't hesitate to nuke Tel Aviv the next day, and then it's all over for humanity.

Tell Iran they must surrender or photos of Trump naked will be distributed by airdrop on their country

They will rapidly raise the white flag then I am sure

2 hours ago, wombat said:

. remove that chain of command and I am sure it will work out well

But only for buff, clean shaven white men with sufficient testosterone.

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

It shows the extreme level of desperation that the command structure has, with their inability to come up with any ideas at this point. And it also demonstrates the fact that they're finally coming to terms with the fact that no war since World War I has ever been won without boots on the ground.

So the continued bombing campaigns that the Goomba keeps threatening mean absolutely nothing to anybody, except perhaps oil traders.

If anything Iran has become more emboldened by Trump's inability to Pivot away from plan A. I think they're shaking their heads and rolling their eyes and how incredibly dull Trump truly is.

thankyou, I find that interesting to read even though my own thoughts are 180° to yours.

Has anyone tried asking them politely? Maybe apologise for the disruption caused, with a promise to help them tidy up?

Being nice can go along way.

35 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

But only for buff, clean shaven white men with sufficient testosterone.

I guess they could have a suggestion box where what they put in theory remain anonymous for those that aren't and don't?

3 hours ago, wombat said:

I am curious why you think that's a bad idea?

Where in my post did I say it was a bad idea ?

Just the whole pentagon, all his acronym agencies, the "private contractors" ,

can't come up with something ?