The Pentagon is preparing for ground operations in Iran that could last several weeks. The Washington Post reported this, citing sources.
“Any possible ground operation would not take the form of a full-scale invasion and would likely consist of raids,” the newspaper writes.
It is still unclear whether Trump has approved the Pentagon’s plans, but such actions could expose US troops to a range of threats and damage Washington’s reputation.
According to WP, over the past month the United States has discussed the possible seizure of Iran’s Khark Island, a key hub for Iranian oil exports, as well as raids on other coastal areas near the Strait of Hormuz.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt neither confirmed nor denied the journalists’ reporting. According to her, “the Pentagon’s job is to prepare to give the commander in chief maximum freedom of action, but that does not mean the president has already made a decision.”
The day before, US Central Command said that about 3.5 thousand Marines and sailors had arrived in the Middle East. A WSJ journalist said on March 26 that a ground operation in Iran could begin “in the near future”.