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Expectations for a possible United States ground intervention in Iran are growing as the war enters its second month.
According to US media reports, the Department of Defense has deployed additional troops to the Middle East in preparation for limited ground operations. Two US officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to the Washington Post, said the Pentagon is planning attacks on Kharg Island – where about 90% of Iran’s crude oil exports are processed – as well as coastal areas near the Strait of Hormuz.
The strait, through which about 20% of the world's oil and liquefied gas supplies pass, has been virtually blocked by Iran since the first US-Israeli attacks on Tehran a month ago. Currently, only a few ships, mostly Chinese, Indian and Pakistani, are allowed to pass.
The situation has hit global energy markets hard, driving the price of Brent oil from around $65 per barrel before the war to nearly $116.
US military plans do not include, according to reports, a full-scale invasion, but rather rapid operations by special forces and infantry. President Donald Trump stated in an interview with the Financial Times that he wants to “take Iran’s oil” and did not rule out the possibility of capturing Kharg Island.
On the other hand, the speaker of the Iranian parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, warned of strong resistance to any ground intervention. He stated that Iranian forces are ready to confront US troops and punish US regional allies.
Before the war, the US had about 40,000 to 50,000 troops deployed in the region. Since the beginning of the year, the Trump administration has increased its military presence, sending aircraft carriers and more than 120 fighter jets, including F-35s, F-22s and advanced surveillance systems.
The latest forces sent include about 4,500 Marines and sailors from two amphibious groups, as well as about 2,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division. In total, about 7,000 additional soldiers have been deployed since the start of the conflict.
However, experts estimate that these forces are not sufficient for a full-scale invasion of Iran. For comparison, during the invasion of Iraq in 2003, the US used about 150,000 troops.
Analysts emphasize that possible operations will target limited targets, such as strategic islands or military bases, with the aim of stabilizing sea routes and resuming energy transport.
According to experts, a full-scale invasion of Iran remains out of the question for the time being, for both operational and political reasons. / Adapted from "Al Jazeera"
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