IRGC navy commander Tangsiri killed in strike, Israel says

The Pentagon is preparing military options for a possible “final blow” against Iran, including ground operations and a large-scale bombing campaign, Axios reported on Thursday, citing US officials and sources.

The report said options under discussion include seizing or blockading key islands such as Kharg, Larak and Abu Musa, as well as targeting Iranian oil exports and potentially conducting strikes or operations against nuclear facilities.

Axios said US officials view a major escalation as more likely if diplomacy fails or if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, though no decision has been made and some plans are described as hypothetical.

The report also said additional US forces, including thousands of troops and air assets, are being deployed to the region.

A source involved in mediation efforts told Axios that Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey are working to organize talks, adding: “But mistrust is the problem. The commanders of the IRGC are very skeptical … But the mediators haven’t given up.”

An official from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said the minimum age for participation in war-related support roles has been lowered to 12, according to remarks aired on state media.

Rahim Nadali, a cultural official with the Guards in Tehran, said an initiative called “For Iran” was recruiting participants to assist with activities such as patrols, checkpoints and logistics.

“Given that the age of those coming forward has dropped and they are asking to take part, we lowered the minimum age to 12,” he said, adding that 12- and 13-year-olds could now take part if they wished.

The comments were broadcast as part of state coverage of the war effort.

The move comes despite Iran’s commitments under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which prohibits the use of children in military activities.

An Iranian lawmaker warned on Thursday that any US military action would draw a “decisive response,” amid reports Washington is deploying thousands of troops to the region.

“Any action … will be met with a decisive response,” Vahid Ahmadi said, adding Kharg Island could become a “graveyard” for US forces if there is a miscalculation.

The comments come as the United States moves around 5,000 troops to the Middle East as part of a broader military buildup.

Several explosions were heard in Bandar Abbas, southern Iran, on Thursday following US-Israeli strikes on a part of the city, the Hormozgan governor’s office said.

Meanwhile, a video received by Iran International on Thursday showed the aftermath of a building that collapsed after being hit in a US-Israeli strike in Bandar Abbas.

China urged all parties on Thursday to work toward launching peace talks to end the Iran war.

“The pressing priority is to actively promote peace talks, seize the opportunity of peace and promote the cessation of the war,” foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said.

He added that countries should “create conditions for starting truly meaningful and sincere peace talks.”