WASHINGTON — Recent waves of US strikes on Iran aimed at forcing open the Strait of Hormuz are also targeting Iranian military capabilities that the US would want to destroy before executing more complex operations against Iran, three US officials told Reuters on Wednesday.

The officials, who were granted anonymity to discuss military matters, said the strikes effectively strengthen additional military options for US President Donald Trump, who has kept the world guessing about his next steps after notifying Congress last weekend of a formal resumption of conflict with Iran.

Now in its fifth month, the Iran war continues to rage after the unraveling of a memorandum of understanding that was meant to stop the fighting and pave the way for a peace agreement. Israel had no part in negotiating the Iran-US memorandum of understanding, and Israeli officials have criticized the document for failing to secure a concrete concession from Iran on its nuclear program.

Despite heavy blows to Iran’s military since the start of the US and Israeli campaign on February 28, Tehran retains significant drone and missile capability and has attacked passing tankers in the strait as well as its Gulf neighbors.

The US military has said its latest bombings have targeted Iranian air defense systems, coastal radar, missile and drone sites, as well as small boats and other maritime assets.

One of the US officials said the strikes could be seen as “shaping operations” that are degrading Iranian defenses in case the US military is ordered to carry out more intensive operations in the future.

“This is helping set the stage, if needed,” the official said.

The Pentagon did not immediately respond........

© The Times of Israel