Negotiations on the brink of collapse, the US may resume strikes against Iran as early as next week, options including seizing nuclear materials on the ground.

The US-Iran nuclear talks have reached a deadlock, and the risk of US military action has suddenly increased. The core chokepoint of the global energy market, the Strait of Hormuz, is facing a new round of conflict threats. According to CCTV News, US sources claim that the Pentagon is preparing to resume military action against Iran, with the US and Israel possibly resuming military strikes against Iran as early as next week. US officials stated that the negotiations are at a standstill, with President Trump reaffirming on the 15th that Iran's proposal to end the war is "unacceptable", but Trump has not yet made a decision on the next steps. Reports indicate that if the US decides to resume military strikes against Iran, one option is to conduct more intense bombing of Iranian military and infrastructure targets; another option is to send special operations forces on the ground to obtain Iran's nuclear materials. Hundreds of special operations forces personnel have arrived in the Middle East in March. However, US officials acknowledge that this option comes with significant risks. In addition, since early April, the US has restocked warships and aircraft in the region with ammunition. For the market, Iran has regained operational rights to 30 out of 33 missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz, posing a direct threat to passing US warships and oil tankers. The Strait of Hormuz, as the most important oil transportation route in the world, would have a significant impact on the energy supply chain if the situation escalates. Pentagon prepares for escalation, maintains high level of military readiness The Pentagon is preparing for the resumption of the "Operation Epic Fury" - which was suspended when Trump announced a ceasefire last month, and may have a new name if it restarts. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified before Congress this week that "we have plans that we can upgrade when necessary", while also having plans for withdrawal by recalling over 50,000 reinforcements deployed to the Middle East. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee this week, stating that the military "retains and continues to hold a series of options for civilian leadership to choose from". He further stated at a Pentagon briefing on May 5th that over 50,000 troops, two aircraft carriers, over a dozen naval destroyers, and a large number of warplanes are "ready at any time to resume large-scale military operations against Iran if ordered. No opponent should mistake our current restraint for lack of determination." Currently, around 5,000 Marines and about 2,000 paratroopers from the elite 82nd Airborne Division are on standby in the region. Officials state that these forces could be used to ensure the safe passage of special operations personnel into weapons facilities in Esfahan, and possibly be used to capture Iran's major oil export hub, Kharg Island - although the latter would require more ground troops to hold. High-risk special operations option for ground nuclear material competition Hundreds of special operations forces personnel have already arrived in the Middle East this March, a deployment aimed at retaining ground operation options for Trump. According to US officials, if approved, the special forces could conduct a raid on highly enriched uranium in the Esfahan nuclear facility, but the entire operation would require thousands of support troops to form a security line, with these troops likely to engage in direct combat with Iranian forces. Military officials privately admit that this option carries a significant risk of casualties. While the US has excelled in targeting its own strikes, including destroying Iranian ballistic missile launch sites, Islamic Revolutionary Guard ammunition depots, and other military infrastructure, assessments by US intelligence agencies show that Iran has regained operational rights to most missile sites, launchers, and underground facilities. Iran's missile sites have been restored, reigniting pressure on the Strait of Hormuz Iran has regained operational rights to 30 missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz, directly affecting the safety of passing oil tankers and US warships. Before the ceasefire, Trump threatened to "wipe out the entire civilization of Iran" if Iran did not allow commercial ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz safely, and he publicly stated for some consecutive days that he would systematically destroy every bridge and power station in Iran. Iran has also indicated that it is prepared for the resumption of conflict. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf posted on social media on Monday, saying, "Our armed forces are ready at any time to respond appropriately to any aggression... We are prepared for all options, and they will be surprised." This article is reprinted from "Wall Street See News", GMTEight Editor: Li Fo.