The United States is prepared for a sustained military campaign against Iran, potentially lasting days or weeks, should Tehran continue its attacks on shipping, according to sources close to the White House. President Trump has reportedly resolved to respond forcefully to what he described as the "sick" Iranian regime.
Administration officials have internally referred to the renewed strikes as "Operation Bitch Slap," a colloquial term meant to convey an anticipated painful but potentially brief response, barring further escalation from Iran. This marks a shift from May, when Trump characterized earlier airstrikes on ships in the Strait of Hormuz as a "love tap."
Sources indicated that the duration of the bombing campaign is heavily dependent on Iran's actions. "He still wants this thing to be over. But if Iran is shooting at ships, he’s not just gonna sit there and do nothing," a source close to the White House told The Post.
Another former White House official described Trump's approach as "going with his gut" and noted a lack of coordination with external parties. Trump expressed strong disapproval of Iran's leadership, referring to them as "scum," "liars," and "loco."
Trump stated that a three-month cease-fire and a recent memorandum of understanding were "over." He threatened infrastructure attacks, a renewed blockade, and the seizure of Kharg Island. Despite some officials' surprise at his strong rhetoric, they reportedly agree with this "new hard line."
"This is all Trump, exactly as he likes it. [It is] almost impossible to tell what his next move is until he makes the decision himself," the former official added.
The term "Operation Bitch Slap" has been used in conversations and emails by senior Trump officials, though some officials were unaware of its use and White House and Pentagon officials stressed that it is not an official operational name.
President Trump has outlined a range of options, allowing for flexibility between sustained military action and renewed negotiations involving Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner.
During the second night of hostilities, which extended into Thursday morning, U.S. military action targeted a rail bridge near the Turkmenistan border, disrupting a significant transportation corridor connecting to China and Russia, according to Iran's Fars News Agency. In response, Iran reportedly launched missiles and drones toward American military bases in Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Jordan, all of which were intercepted.
The latest exchange began when Iran attacked three ships on Monday and Tuesday along the Omani coast, a route preferred by the U.S. rather than an Iranian-favored route.
"We just hit them very hard, and I’d say we hit them 20-1. Every time they hit us, we’re going to hit them 20. We did a little something today. but it was really retribution for last night. They hit actually three boats, not two," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. He added, "We’ve already won militarily. They have very little left. And they want to make a deal so badly. They called a little while ago. They want to make a deal so badly. I just don’t know if they’re worthy… I don’t know that they’re going to honor the deal, that’s the problem."
Trump characterized Iran's actions as driven by irrationality, stating, "They’re sort of crazy. They’re a little bit out of control, but they want to make a deal, badly."
Iranian officials have offered little indication of de-escalation. Mourners at the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei were seen carrying banners calling for Trump's death. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized Trump's "derogatory language," asserting that "Iranians… do not answer vulgarity with vulgarity, but with action."
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated Thursday, "Let me put it plainly: if you strike, you’ll get hit... Don’t flail around pointlessly, or you’ll sink even deeper: the Strait of Hormuz will only open with ‘Iranian arrangements,’ not American threats."