Reports suggest that President Trump is contemplating sending thousands of additional U.S. troops to the Middle East, possibly for deployment on the ground in Iran.
According to Reuters, the administration is exploring the idea of stationing ground forces along Iran’s coastline to help secure the Strait of Hormuz and Khalg Island.
Additionally, discussions are taking place about utilizing U.S. military assets to protect Iran’s stockpiles of highly enriched uranium. However, a source cautioned that any deployment of ground troops in Iran isn’t expected to happen soon.
Officials noted that such operations would be quite dangerous, as they would place U.S. forces within reach of Iranian missiles and drones.
“There’s no decision to deploy ground troops right now, but President Trump is rightly keeping all options available,” a White House official shared with Reuters.
The official emphasized that Trump’s objectives remain clear: to neutralize Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities, dismantle its navy, prevent terrorist proxies from destabilizing the region, and ensure Iran cannot develop nuclear weapons.
The White House did not respond immediately to inquiries for comment.
Last week, The Wall Street Journal reported that the Pentagon seems to have authorized the sending of more Marines and warships to the region, particularly as Iran has been attacking oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the report, Army Secretary Pete Hegseth approved plans for “an amphibious readiness group and part of an attached Marine Expeditionary Unit, which generally consists of several warships and around 5,000 Marines and sailors.”
The USS Tripoli, which is similar to an aircraft carrier but smaller and designed for operations near the shore, is allegedly en route from Japan to the Middle East.
Inevitably, Iranian attacks on vessels close to the Strait of Hormuz have drastically reduced oil shipments through this crucial passage, causing oil and gas prices to spike.
Recently, Trump ordered airstrikes on Iran’s Kharg Island, located about 26 miles from the Iranian coast and pivotal for 90% of the country’s crude oil exports. He claimed the strike “completely obliterated” military targets, while leaving the island’s oil infrastructure intact.
It’s reported that both the United States and Israel are interested in capturing Qag at some stage during the conflict.
