Pentagon officials have explored a range of possible military options involving Cuba, including a large-scale airborne operation, according to a new report from CBS News published Wednesday.
The report comes as fighting with Iran has intensified, with the United States carrying out airstrikes for the fifth consecutive day. The renewed conflict in the Middle East has tied up significant American military resources overseas, a factor CBS reported could complicate any potential military action closer to home.
According to multiple U.S. officials familiar with internal discussions, military planners have recently reviewed several possible courses of action related to Cuba. Among the options examined was an Army-led air assault involving thousands of U.S. troops from the 101st Airborne Division.
CBS reported that the 101st Airborne Division was considered because it is the only Army unit trained to carry out such an operation.
The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the discussions involve national security matters, emphasized that the planning sessions should not be interpreted as evidence that President Donald Trump or Pentagon leaders have decided to launch any military operation.
Instead, they stressed that the discussions reflected contingency planning rather than a final policy decision.
In addition to detailing the reported military planning, CBS said there have been disagreements within the administration over the ongoing conflict with Iran.
According to the outlet, President Trump has privately expressed frustration with the progress of the military campaign. CBS cited two U.S. officials who said Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has advocated for what the report described as a more confrontational approach to the conflict.
The report also said Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine has taken a more measured position, tempering Hegseth’s approach during internal discussions.
CBS did not report that any final decisions had been made regarding either the Iran conflict or potential action involving Cuba.
When asked about the report, a Pentagon press secretary declined to discuss what were described as hypothetical military operations. The spokesperson also declined to comment on the reported differences between Trump and Hegseth over the handling of the war with Iran.
The report arrives just months after Axios published its own exclusive account of military planning involving Cuba.
According to that May report, U.S. Southern Command conducted a tabletop exercise designed to examine possible military action involving the island.
Axios likewise reported that officials familiar with those discussions cautioned against interpreting the exercise as a sign that military action was imminent.
Sources quoted in that report emphasized that “no invasion is planned or imminent,” despite the planning exercise.
The latest reporting from CBS similarly underscores that military officials have examined potential options without indicating that any operation has been approved.
As the United States remains engaged in the renewed conflict with Iran, the report notes that military assets continue to be committed to operations in the Middle East, creating additional considerations for any potential action elsewhere.
While the reported planning has drawn attention because of the scale of one option under review, officials cited by CBS maintained that reviewing military contingencies does not mean they will ultimately be carried out.
The report leaves unanswered whether any of the options discussed will move beyond the planning stage, with Pentagon officials declining to address the specifics of the reported briefings or comment further on internal deliberations.
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