US military operations against Iran since February 2026 have centered on airstrikes, naval deployments in the Strait of Hormuz, and targeted pressure rather than ground forces aimed at territorial control. A fragile ceasefire reached in April remains in place amid stalled nuclear negotiations, with the Trump administration rejecting recent Iranian proposals while Vice President JD Vance noted incremental progress toward verifiable limits on enrichment. Pentagon planning has emphasized limited special operations and air campaigns to enforce red lines on nuclear weapons, consistent with historical reluctance for large-scale occupation of Iranian territory. These developments sustain trader consensus that a full invasion establishing control over any portion of Iran is unlikely before the 2027 deadline, though renewed escalation could alter the path.