Pentagon planning for extended ground operation in Iran – report

The US Defense Department is reportedly drafting plans for weeks of ground combat in Iran as thousands of Marines arrive in the region.

By World Israel News Staff

The United States Defense Department has drafted plans for a possible ground campaign in Iran that could last for weeks, even as President Donald Trump has not yet decided whether to authorize any such escalation, according to American officials familiar with the deliberations.

In a report published by The Washington Post, officials speaking on condition of anonymity said that the plans under consideration do not involve a full-scale invasion, but instead rely on limited operations such as raids by Special Operations forces and conventional infantry units.

Officials said the preparations have been underway for weeks and are intended to give Trump a wide range of military options as the war enters a potentially more dangerous phase.

Any US ground operation in Iran would inevitably expose American forces to major risks, including Iranian drones, missiles, ground fire and improvised explosives. Among the scenarios reportedly being discussed inside the administration are the seizure of Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export hub in the Persian Gulf, and raids on coastal military sites near the Strait of Hormuz, with the aim of destroying weapons that threaten commercial and military shipping.

The White House has emphasized that planning does not mean a final decision has been made. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said it is the Pentagon’s job to prepare options for the commander in chief, while emphasizing that Trump has not committed to a course of action.

The administration’s messaging in recent days has been decidedly mixed.

On the one hand, Trump and senior administration officials have suggested that the war may be nearing its end and signaled interest in negotiating a ceasefire.

On the other, American officials have warned that the United States could sharply intensify its response if Tehran refuses to abandon its nuclear ambitions and threats against the US and its allies.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that the conflict is not expected to become prolonged and argued that Washington can achieve its goals without deploying ground troops.

Trump himself said earlier this month that he was not planning to send troops into Iran, while adding that he would not publicly disclose such a move in advance if he were.

Despite the ambiguous public stance of US officials, the American military presence in the region has grown.

Thousands of additional personnel have arrived in recent weeks, including the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, a force of roughly 2,200 sailors and Marines with the capacity to conduct rapid assault missions.

Reports from other outlets have also suggested the administration is weighing the deployment of an additional 10,000 ground troops, although that figure has not been independently confirmed.

Military analysts say that a ground campaign in Iran would be highly risky, particularly if US forces attempted to seize and hold territory such as Kharg Island.

Experts cited by the Post noted that while capturing strategic sites may be feasible, defending troops once they are on the ground would be far more difficult, especially given Iran’s ability to strike with drones, missiles and coastal defenses.

Some analysts argue that shorter raids against Iranian coastal military positions would be more practical than occupying territory for an extended period. Such targets could include installations near the Strait of Hormuz, the vital shipping chokepoint whose security has become an even greater concern as the conflict continues.