Pentagon considering renaming Iran war ‘Sledgehammer’ if attacks resume: report

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Washington DC:The Pentagon is considering a strategic rebranding of the conflict with Iran, proposing the name "Operation Sledgehammer" to designate any resumption of major combat operations. 

The move is viewed by legal experts and officials as a maneuver to bypass congressional restrictions and restart the legal timeline for military engagement.

The potential name change follows the administration's recent declaration that the previous mission, ‘Operation Epic Fury,’ had officially concluded after a truce in April. By introducing a new operational name, the White House could argue that a renewed campaign constitutes a distinct military action. 

This would effectively reset the 60-day window mandated by the 1973 War Powers Resolution, allowing the administration to continue hostilities without immediate congressional authorization.

While the conflict is currently in a period of ‘paused major combat,’ the strategic environment remains volatile. The U.S. has maintained a significant naval presence in the Middle East, including a blockade intended to pressure Tehran. 

Internal reports suggest that military commanders have already finalized contingency plans under the ‘Sledgehammer’ designation, targeting Iranian infrastructure should the current ceasefire which President Trump described as being ‘on life support’ completely fail.

The transition to a new operational phase comes as diplomatic efforts mediated by regional partners remain stalled. With the administration rejecting recent Iranian proposals as ‘unacceptable,’ the Pentagon’s focus has shifted toward the legal and logistical preparations for a return to active hostilities.