As fighting rages and the United States and Iran continue to sow confusion about the status of diplomatic talks, the Pentagon and U.S. Central Command are discussing ways to deliver the coup de grâce, or “finishing blow,” as they put it, to bring about a final end to the war with Iran, according to U.S. officials familiar with the discussions, Axios reports.

One option is assuming control of Kharg Island, an island in the Persian Gulf about 15 miles off the coast of Iran. This small coral island is vital to Iran’s oil economy, exporting about 90 percent of Iran’s crude oil exports. Known as Iran’s “oil lifeline,” this highly strategic asset is a sitting duck.

Larak Island is another island that is critical to Iran’s oil economy — and it’s located smack in the middle of the Strait of Hormuz, giving control over the vital waterway to anyone who controls the island. This hub also boasts a secure area for Iran’s oil storage and transfer. Taking over Larak Island would remove Iran’s grip on Hormuz while also stripping Iran of its leverage over its own oil exports, which would weaken its position generally.

Option three is seizing Abu Musa and the two smaller islands of Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb (collectively known as the “Three Islands”). These small islands in the Strait of Hormuz also provide complete control over the flow of traffic through the narrow waterway, making it critically important as a strategic and military asset. From these islands, Iran monitors, interrupts, intercepts, and does whatever dastardly deeds are on its villainous agenda to ships trying to pass through the strait.

Finally, and perhaps most simply, would be to intercept Iran’s oil tankers on the eastern side of the Strait of Hormuz, choking off the source of Iran’s war funding and neutralizing Iran’s ability to charge the exorbitant fees they are currently demanding of ships to allow them safe passage, which run into millions of dollars.

In addition, a U.S. ground operation inside Iran to seize the enriched uranium hidden deep underground is under consideration. This would represent a major escalation, but sources say that while President Donald Trump has not made a final decision, he is considering all options in case diplomacy fails.