The us Department of Defense is considering renaming the military conflict with Iran as “Operation Sledgehammer” if the fragile ceasefire collapses and President Donald Trump decides to resume large-scale combat operations, according to senior US officials.
The proposed name would replace the current designation, “Operation Epic Fury,” which was officially declared concluded after Washington and Tehran agreed to a ceasefire in early April to allow diplomatic negotiations to proceed.
However, discussions within the administration indicate that preparations for a possible return to military action are intensifying as tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz continue to escalate.
According to US officials, adopting a new operational name could also allow the White House to argue that a renewed military campaign would effectively restart the 60-day congressional authorization clock required under the 1973 War Powers Resolution, according to NBC News.
While the Trump administration informed Congress earlier this year that hostilities under Operation Epic Fury had ended, Pentagon officials have continued referring to the conflict by its original name, describing the ceasefire as merely a pause in major combat operations rather than a formal end to the war.
A White House official familiar with the discussions said any future combat campaign against Iran would be launched under a new operational framework and name, with “Operation Sledgehammer” emerging as one of the leading options under review.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently stated that “Operation Epic Fury is over,” adding that the administration had achieved its military objectives and formally notified Congress of the operation’s conclusion.
Under the War Powers Resolution, the US president must notify Congress within 48 hours of initiating combat operations, while military action beyond 60 days requires congressional approval.
American officials argue that because active combat operations were paused after approximately 40 days, the administration has not exceeded the legal threshold.
Despite the ceasefire, exchanges between the two sides have continued in recent days, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has halted maritime traffic while the United States maintains a blockade strategy aimed at increasing pressure on Tehran.
One US official said President Trump continues to explore options for reopening the strait while remaining deeply skeptical that diplomatic negotiations with Iran will succeed.
“The blockade is providing room for strategic decision-making without major combat operations,” the official said, warning that “the current status quo will not continue indefinitely.”
On Sunday, Iran reportedly submitted a new proposal through mediators aimed at ending the conflict, but Trump quickly dismissed the offer on social media, calling it “totally unacceptable.”
Speaking later from the Oval Office, Trump described the ceasefire as “unbelievably weak,” comparing it to a critically ill patient with “a one percent chance of survival.”
The president also revealed plans to meet with senior military commanders to discuss future options regarding Iran.
Senior US officials, including Rubio, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other military leaders, reportedly held meetings this week to review contingency plans and assess ongoing tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.
The report noted that Trump’s upcoming visit to China and his planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping are also influencing Washington’s strategic calculations.
The United States has accused Beijing of assisting Tehran during the conflict, including allegations that Chinese entities provided satellite imagery to Iran to help target American forces in the Middle East.
In recent days, the Trump administration has imposed sanctions on several Chinese entities accused of supporting Iranian military operations.
According to US officials, the American military presence in the region is now significantly larger than when Operation Epic Fury first began in February.
The Pentagon has deployed additional carrier strike groups and replenished military assets used during the first phase of the conflict.
“We are in a better position now than we were before the war started,” one US official said. “We have greater firepower and enhanced operational capabilities.”
