The Pentagon has reportedly been preparing plans for a potential ground operation in Iran, including the possible capture of a key island, according to the Washington Post.
Pentagon Prepares Iran Ground Operation Plans
The Washington Post reported Saturday that the Pentagon has been preparing plans for a ground operation in Iran for weeks. The planned actions, which have not yet been approved by the White House, are expected to take several weeks but are not intended to be a full-scale invasion.
According to the newspaper, citing American officials, potential ground actions could include raids involving special forces and regular infantry. Scenarios discussed within the Trump administration include seizing Khark Island in the Persian Gulf, home to Iran’s main oil and gas export terminal.
Alternative Scenarios Under Consideration
Other possibilities being considered include a landing on coastal areas near the Strait of Hormuz to locate and destroy weapons that could be used to attack commercial and military vessels.
Operation Timeline Estimates Vary
One informant stated that achieving the considered objectives would likely take “weeks, not months.” Another estimated the potential duration of the operation at “a couple of months.”
White House Response
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated that a decision regarding the use of ground troops has not yet been made.
Pentagon’s Role: Providing Options
“The Pentagon’s job is to prepare to give the commander-in-chief maximum decision-making freedom. That does not mean the president has made a decision,” Leavitt explained.
Shifting Rhetoric and Troop Deployments
Last week, Trump appeared to rule out sending ground troops to Iran, but a week later, Leavitt threatened that the president “is prepared to unleash hell” if Iran does not reach a peace agreement during ongoing negotiations. On Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio assured that the U.S. is capable of achieving all objectives without engaging forces on the ground.
Increased U.S. Military Presence in the Middle East
Thousands of American soldiers, including Marines, have arrived in the Middle East in recent days, with additional units en route.
Axios and the Wall Street Journal also reported in recent days that the administration is considering sending another 10,000 ground troops to the Middle East, supplementing those already stationed there.