The Pentagon is preparing for limited ground operations in Iran that could last several weeks, potentially including raids on Kharg Island and coastal sites near the Strait of Hormuz, according to United States officials quoted by The Washington Post. The plans, which fall short of a full invasion, could involve operations by special forces and conventional infantry troops, exposing US personnel to Iranian drones, missiles, ground fire, and improvised explosives. Whether President Donald Trump would approve any of these plans remains uncertain, the report stated.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to questions about the Post report by saying, "It's the job of the Pentagon to make preparations in order to give the Commander in Chief maximum optionality. It does not mean the president has made a decision." The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that approximately 3,500 additional soldiers from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit arrived in the Middle East aboard the USS Tripoli, along with transport and strike fighter aircraft, as well as amphibious assault and tactical assets.

Officials speaking to The Washington Post revealed that discussions within the administration over the past month have touched upon the possible seizure of Kharg Island, a key Iranian oil export hub in the Gulf, and raids into other coastal areas near the Strait of Hormuz to locate and destroy weapons capable of targeting commercial and military shipping. One source indicated that the objectives under consideration would likely take "weeks, not months" to complete, while another estimated a potential timeline of "a couple of months." The Pentagon had not responded to the Post's requests for comment as of Saturday.

The report emerged as Pakistan, which shares a 900km border with Iran, mediates between Washington and Tehran, hosting two days of talks with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf declared, "The enemy openly sends messages of negotiation and dialogue and secretly plans a ground attack. Unaware that our men are waiting for the arrival of American soldiers on the ground to set fire to them and punish their regional partners forever." He added, "Our firing continues. Our missiles are in place. Our determination and faith have increased."

The Tasnim news agency quoted an unnamed military source warning that if military action occurs on "Iranian islands or anywhere else in our lands," Iran could open a new front at the mouth of the Red Sea. The source stated that Iran can pose a "credible threat" in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, which lies between Yemen and Djibouti. Tasnim later cited an "informed source" claiming that Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen are prepared to assist in controlling the Bab al-Mandeb Strait to "further punish the enemy" if necessary.

Source: www.aljazeera.com