Washington, DC – NBC News, citing US defense officials, reported that the Pentagon is considering changing the official name of its military operation against Iran to “Operation Sledgehammer.” This move by the Pentagon is a precautionary measure in case the current fragile ceasefire collapses. It also comes in light of President Donald Trump’s decision to resume airstrikes and large-scale military operations.
A legal maneuver to circumvent Congress
Reports indicate that the proposal aims to replace the current name of the operation, “Operation Epic Fury,” which began with the outbreak of hostilities on February 28. Observers believe this change is not merely symbolic; it carries strategic legal implications, as it could allow the Trump administration to argue that initiating a “new operation” would necessitate recalculating the 60-day period stipulated by the 1973 War Powers Resolution.
Under U.S. law, the president must obtain explicit congressional authorization to continue any military action after 60 days have passed since its commencement, even if the attacks were launched under the pretext of an “imminent threat.”
By changing the name of the operation, the administration may be attempting to circumvent pressure from lawmakers. During recent hearings, lawmakers asserted that the legal timeframe for the current war has already expired.
A truce on “life support machines”
These leaks come at a time when President Trump described the current ceasefire as being “on life support,” after rejecting recent Iranian proposals presented through Pakistani mediation. Trump described the proposals as “completely unacceptable.”
While the Department of Defense asserts it possesses the necessary capabilities to protect American interests, experts believe a widening gap exists between classified intelligence assessments confirming Iran’s continued missile capabilities and the political discourse aimed at resetting the legal clock with Congress in preparation for a new round of confrontation under the guise of “Operation Pillar of Defense.”
