As thousands of additional US troops arrive in the Persian Gulf, military officials are planning two potential ground assaults in Iran, The Atlantic reported on Wednesday, citing three people familiar with the matter.
According to the report, one option would seize Kharg Island, the hub of the country’s energy industry. The other would capture enriched uranium to hobble Iran’s nuclear-development program. Both require approval from President Donald Trump.
Putting troops on Iranian territory would rank among the most dangerous missions of either of Trump’s terms. Neither operation would guarantee the end of the war within weeks, the collapse of the regime or the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, said those familiar with the options.
About 3,500 Marines and sailors reached the region over the weekend, defense officials told The Atlantic, and another 3,500 are expected in the coming weeks. Hundreds of Special Operations forces are already in the region. Military planners could send the incoming Marines to Kharg Island, which handles roughly 90 percent of Iran’s oil exports and has already been struck by US forces. Seizing it could cut off revenue for the regime and provide a bargaining chip for negotiations.
Trump said in an interview with the Financial Times on Sunday, “Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don’t. We have a lot of options. It would also mean we had to be there for a while."
A separate plan would send Special Operations forces into mainland Iran to seize highly enriched uranium. Recovering the material would be difficult after previous strikes damaged the sites.
Trump has not decided whether to authorize either option, the officials told The Atlantic. Some in the military privately hope the risks will push the administration toward restraint. But prolonged Iranian control of the vital waterway and soaring energy prices could force other choices. Trump could rely on faltering diplomatic efforts or pull out and leave the problem to allies.
The president is receiving conflicting advice, according to the report. Some in his inner circle and nervous GOP operatives urge winding down the war to mitigate economic fallout. Tehran hawks and Gulf allies urge finishing off the regime.
(Arutz Sheva-Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Passover in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)