U.S. Central Command reportedly asked military personnel to submit “creative and unconventional” ideas for increasing pressure on Iran, according to a CNN report published Monday, as uncertainty continues over the future of U.S.-Iran relations.
The request was reportedly sent in an email last week to military analysts within CENTCOM’s intelligence branch, inviting personnel to offer new approaches for dealing with the Islamic Republic.
“We are looking for new creative and unconventional ways to pressure and punish Iran,” the email stated, according to CNN, which cited a source familiar with the message.
The reported outreach comes at a pivotal moment, following President Donald Trump’s remarks Sunday indicating that his administration planned to begin negotiations with Iran as early as Monday afternoon.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said the discussions would focus on two major objectives: reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ensuring Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon.
The president also revealed that he had called off what he described as “the biggest attack since World War II” after receiving appeals from Iran as well as regional allies, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
Trump said his decision reflected a desire to avoid unnecessary loss of life despite the United States being prepared for military action.
“I’m not looking to kill people, ’cause people die,” Trump said. “A lot of people die. And we don’t want that.”
Instead, Trump said his administration would pursue diplomacy.
“Now what we’re doing is we’re talking to them in the form of a negotiation,” the president said. “It begins tomorrow afternoon.”
Despite Trump’s announcement, Iran has publicly denied that any negotiations with the United States are taking place.
The apparent contradiction between Washington’s and Tehran’s public statements has added another layer of uncertainty to an already tense relationship between the two countries.
Against that backdrop, CNN reported that CENTCOM had circulated the email seeking fresh ideas from within its own ranks on how to increase pressure on Iran.
The message reportedly encouraged military analysts to think beyond conventional strategies and submit original proposals aimed at pressuring and punishing the Iranian government.
CNN said the email originated from an officer within CENTCOM’s intelligence branch and was distributed last week.
Following publication of the report, CENTCOM did not dispute the authenticity of the email.
Instead, the command defended its practice of soliciting ideas from personnel across the organization, emphasizing that innovation has long been a part of its operational approach.
In a statement provided to CNN, CENTCOM spokesman Capt. Timothy Hawkins said the command routinely encourages members of the organization to contribute new ideas regardless of their rank.
“U.S. Central Command has a long history of thinking and working in innovative ways,” Hawkins said.
He added that Adm. Brad Cooper regularly seeks input from members of the command to improve operational effectiveness.
“Admiral Cooper, in particular, reaches out to members of our great team, regardless of rank, to achieve the highest levels of operational performance possible,” Hawkins said.
The statement did not directly address the wording of the reported email or deny that military analysts had been asked to submit unconventional proposals concerning Iran.
The reported request surfaced as the Trump administration publicly signaled a possible shift from military action toward diplomacy, even as Iran rejected the president’s claim that negotiations were set to begin.
For now, CENTCOM has defended its internal practice of encouraging innovative thinking, while questions remain over the status of any potential talks between Washington and Tehran.
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