Pentagon prepares for possible ground operations in Iran: Report

The Pentagon is preparing for the possibility of weeks-long ground operations in Iran—including potential raids on Kharg Island and coastal areas near the Strait of Hormuz—though Donald Trump has yet to approve any deployment, according to a report by The Washington Post.

The proposed operations would fall short of a full-scale invasion, instead focusing on targeted raids by special operations forces and conventional infantry, officials told the newspaper.

The US has already sent thousands of Marines to the region amid the ongoing conflict. One contingent arrived Friday aboard an amphibious assault ship, with additional troop movements under consideration, including forces from the 82nd Airborne Division.

Marco Rubio said Washington could meet its objectives without deploying ground troops but added that forces are being positioned to give the president “maximum flexibility” in shaping strategy.

The potential buildup would add to roughly 5,000 Marines being shifted to the Middle East, on top of an estimated 50,000 US troops already stationed in the region, according to Associated Press.

The increased military presence has fueled speculation that the US could carry out limited ground strikes aimed at securing the Strait or seizing Kharg Island, a key hub in Iran’s oil infrastructure.

Defense experts warn that while US forces could likely achieve such objectives, the operation risks escalating into a prolonged conflict of attrition, with significant costs in both lives and resources.