An officer in the U.S. Central Command's intelligence branch reportedly emailed a broad group of military analysts asking them to send ideas on approaching the conflict with Iran. 

“We are looking for new creative and unconventional ways to pressure and punish Iran,” the officer stated in the emails, according to CNN, which cited unnamed sources. 

Military officials said it wasn't typical for the military to brainstorm ideas over a broad query like that. 

Capt. Timothy Hawkins, a spokesperson for CENTCOM, said in a statement that the agency "has a long history of thinking and working in innovative ways." He said Admiral Brad Cooper reaches out to people regardless of rank to get their input on questions.