US strikes on Iran prepare ground for more intense operations, officials say

US officials indicated that recent American strikes on Iran, aimed at securing the Strait of Hormuz, are also intended to degrade Iranian military capabilities in preparation for potential future, more complex operations. These "shaping operations" target Iranian air defense systems, coastal radar, missile and drone sites, and maritime assets. The ongoing conflict, now in its fifth month, follows the collapse of a memorandum of understanding, which Israel criticized for not addressing Iran's nuclear program. Despite significant damage to Iran's military, Tehran retains drone and missile capabilities and has attacked tankers and Gulf neighbors. President Trump has publicly discussed military options, including seizing Iran's Kharg Island, stating, "If we degrade them far enough and deep enough back, I would do that." Experts note that while such public discussions could aid diplomacy, they also reveal potential military strategies.