Axios: Trump weighs limited strikes on Iranian targets near Strait of Hormuz

US President Donald Trump and his senior aides are considering limited strikes on Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz to prevent Tehran from rebuilding its radar and missile capabilities for attacks on ships, Report informs, citing Axios and three US officials.

According to the officials, US Central Command (CENTCOM) is concerned about Iran's efforts to restore its radar, air defense and anti-ship missile capabilities in the Strait of Hormuz for precision strikes on vessels.

One incident that raised concern in recent days was the launch of an Iranian surface-to-air missile toward a US F-35 fighter jet that was providing cover for ships in the strait, a US official said. Although the missile did not come close enough to pose a threat, the official said the incident signaled that Iran was trying to rebuild its military capabilities.

CENTCOM told Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine and the White House that the US military may need to carry out periodic strikes on Iran to continue ensuring the safe daily passage of dozens of oil tankers from the Persian Gulf.

Hegseth supported the proposal and sent the plan to the White House for review several days ago, Axios noted. However, the administration in Washington had been leaning against approving the strikes in order to avoid escalation with Iran.

Nevertheless, Iranian ballistic missile strikes on US bases in Jordan on Sunday could change Trump's position. On Monday, he vowed that the United States would deliver a strong retaliatory strike against Iran.