The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has reportedly asked a broad group of military analysts to suggest “new creative and unconventional ways” to increase pressure on Iran, according to a media report. The unusual request, made through an internal email, reflects an effort to reassess Washington’s strategy as military operations continue without a breakthrough.

According to the report, an officer in CENTCOM’s intelligence branch initiated the brainstorming exercise last week, seeking fresh ideas from across the command on how to deal with Iran. Officials cited by the media described the crowdsourcing-style email as an uncommon approach within the US military.

Why CENTCOM is seeking new ideas

The report said the initiative comes as President Donald Trump faces limited and increasingly difficult options to push Iran towards an agreement on US terms. A source familiar with the discussions said CENTCOM is reviewing every possible option while acknowledging that its current strategy requires reassessment.

Responding to the report, CENTCOM spokesperson Captain Timothy Hawkins said the command has a long history of encouraging innovative thinking. He added that Admiral Cooper regularly seeks ideas from personnel across different ranks to improve operational performance.

Email came before Trump’s reported strike decision

The internal email was reportedly sent before Trump last week considered authorising new strikes on Iran. However, according to the report, those plans were dropped after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud urged the US president during a phone call to pursue de-escalation.

The United States has been carrying out air strikes against Iran for weeks with the stated aim of weakening Tehran’s ability to threaten shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and encouraging the country to return to negotiations. Despite the campaign, the report noted there has been no indication of a diplomatic breakthrough.

Military options remain limited

The report said US military planners have continued preparing options targeting Pickaxe Mountain and other Iranian sites believed to house nuclear-related material or equipment. However, sources familiar with the planning reportedly believe even America’s most powerful conventional weapons may not be sufficient because the facilities are located deep underground.

According to the report, destroying such sites could require a ground operation, a step Trump has been unwilling to approve because of the significant military risks involved.

The report also stated that at least 18 US service members have been killed during the fighting in the Middle East.

Trump reportedly looking for a symbolic outcome

With no decisive military victory in sight, Trump has reportedly lowered expectations and is considering limited strikes that could provide a symbolic success while allowing the United States to end the conflict, according to sources quoted in the report.

Such an approach would move away from one of the administration’s original objectives of eliminating Iran’s nuclear programme and would not necessarily resolve tensions over the Strait of Hormuz.

One source familiar with the planning discussions was quoted as saying that the US president ultimately wants a negotiated agreement and is continuing to explore ways to increase pressure while avoiding a prolonged conflict.

The report also noted that earlier assessments by both the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) concluded that the current bombing campaign is unlikely to significantly change Iran’s negotiating position. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine has also publicly acknowledged that air power alone is unlikely to achieve all of the administration’s stated objectives.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology has sought an apology from Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg over the temporary removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Facebook video, saying that a simple expression of regret would not be enough unless accountability is fixed.

The committee, chaired by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, met representatives of Meta, Google, YouTube, senior officials from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), and the Union Home Ministry to discuss issues related to social media regulation, algorithmic transparency and platform accountability.

Panel demands accountability over PM Modi video removal

During the meeting, members questioned Meta over the removal of a Facebook video in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed young people and promised strict action against exam paper leaks.

According to sources, committee members asked who was responsible for taking down the video and why it was removed while other objectionable content remained on the platform. Meta reportedly expressed regret over the incident and offered an apology.

However, members of the panel maintained that the matter should not end with an apology alone. They said responsibility for the lapse must be established and legal action should be considered wherever required.

The committee also questioned what safeguards ordinary Indian users have if the Prime Minister’s content could be removed in such a manner.

Nishikant Dubey warns over safe harbour protection

Speaking after the meeting, Nishikant Dubey said Mark Zuckerberg should personally apologise for the incident.

He also warned that if such an apology is not forthcoming, Meta’s “safe harbour” protection could come under scrutiny. Safe harbour provisions protect online platforms from liability for third-party content, provided they comply with due diligence requirements under Indian law.

Dubey further claimed that the Prime Minister’s video remained unavailable for around five hours and described the matter as serious.

Panel raises concerns over algorithms and child safety

Apart from the video controversy, the committee also questioned Meta over alleged algorithmic bias and the way content is promoted on social media platforms.

Dubey said the committee unanimously discussed concerns regarding algorithm-driven reach and claimed that newer or unregistered groups were receiving greater visibility than recognised political parties. He said understanding how platforms determine content reach was important for the country.

The meeting also included discussions on child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and the responsibilities of social media companies in preventing such content from appearing on their platforms.

MeitY had earlier questioned Meta’s explanation

Last week, MeitY had summoned Meta’s global team over issues related to algorithmic bias, platform processes and their potential impact on public order.

Meta had attributed the temporary removal of the Prime Minister’s video to a technical glitch. However, according to sources, the ministry considered the explanation inadequate.

Separately, Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have registered cases against Meta India head Arun Srinivas and certain Facebook and Instagram accounts over allegedly morphed and AI-generated posts targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) founder Prashant Kishor has registered his maiden electoral victory by winning the Bankipur Assembly bypoll in Bihar, ending the BJP’s long dominance in the constituency. The former election strategist defeated BJP candidate Neeraj Kumar by a margin of 19,324 votes, marking the first Assembly seat won by both Kishor and his party.

According to Election Commission data, Kishor secured 64,151 votes, while Neeraj Kumar polled 44,827 votes. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) candidate Rekha Kumari finished third with 14,273 votes.

Prashant Kishor promises visible changes in Bankipur

After the victory, Prashant Kishor thanked the voters and assured them that development work would begin immediately.

Addressing reporters, he said people would witness visible changes in Bankipur within three months and requested residents to give him that time. He also said his office would remain open not only for the people of Bankipur but for everyone in Bihar.

Kishor described the victory as significant, saying his party had managed to end what he called the BJP’s three-decade hold over the constituency in just 30 days of campaigning.

Says Bihar voters have sent a message to BJP

Speaking after the results, Kishor said the people of Bihar had conveyed a message to the BJP’s central leadership that the state needed a chief minister focused on improving education and creating employment opportunities. He also said voters wanted leadership with a clean public image.

Bihar Chief Minister congratulates Kishor

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary congratulated Prashant Kishor on his victory through a post on X.

He said the people had chosen Jan Suraaj in the Bankipur Assembly by-election and extended his congratulations while respecting the democratic verdict.

Why the Bankipur bypoll drew national attention

The Bankipur by-election attracted national attention for several reasons. The constituency has long been considered a BJP stronghold and was represented for multiple terms by senior BJP leader Nitin Nabin, who vacated the seat after moving to the Rajya Sabha.

The contest also gained prominence after Prashant Kishor entered the fray and came in the backdrop of nationwide student protests centred around education-related issues. Political observers had closely watched whether young voters would influence the outcome in the urban Patna constituency.

The BJP also witnessed a last-minute change in candidate after Abhishek Kumar Sinha withdrew before filing his nomination, following which the party fielded youth wing leader Neeraj Kumar. The RJD nominated Rekha Kumari.

Jan Suraaj opens its electoral account

The victory marks a milestone for the Jan Suraaj Party, which had failed to win any seats in the 2025 Bihar Assembly election. Kishor himself had not contested that election.

With the Bankipur result, Jan Suraaj has opened its electoral account, while Kishor has entered the Bihar Assembly for the first time.

Reacting to the outcome, Jan Suraaj’s Bihar chief Manoj Bharti said the people of Bankipur had voted for change. He claimed the party received support across different sections of society and thanked what he described as the party’s “silent voters” for helping secure the victory.