CBS News reported, citing US officials, that the Pentagon has recently been studying military options against Cuba, including "an attack involving thousands of US soldiers carried out by the 101st Airborne Division."

It added that "in recent weeks, planners have studied a range of options for a possible operation against the island, including a US Army-led air assault involving thousands of US soldiers, carried out by the 101st Airborne Division, the only unit trained for such a mission."

CBS explained that "these briefings do not indicate that President Trump or the Pentagon have decided to carry out a military operation against Cuba, as it would put the Pentagon in a major dilemma, since much of the US military's focus and some of its most important offensive capabilities are deployed elsewhere."

Officials said that "the US military held a concept of operations briefing late last month to discuss initial military planning options for selected potential missions."

The Pentagon has transferred aircraft, intelligence assets, and other resources from various geographical regions to the Middle East to support operations against Iran, while officials who spoke to CBS News said that "shifting focus toward Cuba is unlikely at this time, given the resumption of military operations against Iran."

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier called on Cuba's leaders to commit to real political and economic reforms "before it's too late," hinting at the use of force by asserting that the United States will continue to use all tools at its disposal to confront what he described as "national security threats posed by the Cuban regime," according to his words, and push for reforms that give the country "a better future."

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel rejected US accusations that Cuba represents a "national security threat" to the United States, pointing out that the United States is the one that poses a threat.

Amid ongoing escalation of US pressure on Cuba, Washington expanded its sanctions by adding the Ministry of Tourism and a number of other government bodies and institutions to the sanctions list.