Pentagon Plans Ground Raids On Kharg Island As Middle East Conflict Intensifies
Pentagon readies potential raids on Kharg Island and Hormuz coastal sites, with Trump yet to approve operations.
The United States is reportedly preparing for weeks of targeted ground operations in Iran, including potential raids on Kharg Island and coastal areas near the Strait of Hormuz, as the Middle East conflict enters its fifth week, the Washington Post reported on Saturday.
According to unnamed US officials cited by the Post, the planned operations could involve a combination of special forces and conventional infantry, though whether President Donald Trump would approve such actions remains unclear. Any intervention would reportedly fall short of a full-scale invasion, focusing instead on strategic objectives such as neutralizing weapons capable of targeting commercial and military shipping.
Kharg Island, Iran’s largest oil terminal and a major hub for the country’s crude exports, has been highlighted as a potential target. Analysts note that seizing the island could create “valuable bargaining chips” for future negotiations and undermine Tehran’s control over the Persian Gulf, though protecting US forces once deployed there would present a significant challenge. The Post cited former senior defense officials emphasizing that the plans are carefully war-gamed and not last-minute preparations.
Also Read: Iran-US-Israel War Escalates With 5,000 Deaths Across 14 Countries and No Peace in Sight
The deployment of US forces has already accelerated. On Saturday, the Pentagon announced the arrival of 3,500 Marines and sailors aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, accompanied by transport and strike aircraft, F-35 fighter jets, and Seahawk helicopters. The buildup marks the largest US military presence in the region in over two decades, reflecting the escalating stakes around the Strait of Hormuz and nearby coastal areas.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt underlined that planning by the Pentagon is intended to give the Commander in Chief maximum operational flexibility. She stressed that no presidential decision has been made to initiate ground operations, while also emphasizing that Trump is “prepared to unleash hell” if Iran fails to negotiate an end to hostilities. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio added that Washington could achieve its objectives without deploying ground troops.
The situation comes amid ongoing US-Israeli strikes on Iranian targets that began in late February, with tensions remaining high over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for Gulf oil and gas exports. As Iran continues to block the passage, analysts warn that any US ground action near the strait or on Kharg Island could have significant implications for regional security, global energy markets, and international shipping routes.
Also Read: US Prepares 10,000 Troops and Secret Plans as Trump Weighs Ground Operation Against Iran
