Reports outline potential raids and seizures of strategic islands as Pentagon prepares options for escalation

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

U.S. military planners are preparing options for potential ground operations in Iran that would center on strategic targets near the Strait of Hormuz, according to reporting by The Washington Post.

Unnamed U.S. officials told the outlet that the Department of Defense has been developing plans for weeks that could involve limited ground missions rather than a full-scale invasion. According to the report, these operations could include raids conducted by Special Operations forces alongside conventional infantry units.

“Any potential ground operation would fall short of a full-scale invasion and could instead involve raids by a mixture of Special Operations forces and conventional infantry troops,” officials said, noting the plans remain highly sensitive and subject to presidential approval.

The same officials said U.S. personnel would face multiple threats, including Iranian drones and missiles, ground fire, and improvised explosive devices. It remains unclear whether Donald Trump would authorize any of the proposed actions.

A separate report from Axios described internal discussions of a potential “final blow” strategy that could include ground forces alongside a broader air campaign. Sources cited by the outlet outlined four possible operational scenarios under consideration:

  • Seizing or blockading Kharg Island, Iran’s primary oil export hub
  • Invading Larak Island, a key position for Iranian control of the Strait of Hormuz
  • Taking control of Abu Musa and nearby islands at the western entrance to the strait
  • Interdicting or seizing vessels exporting Iranian oil

Officials familiar with the planning told The Washington Post that Kharg Island and coastal weapons systems capable of targeting shipping lanes are among the primary objectives under review. The focus of the proposals is concentrated on maritime chokepoints rather than operations across the entirety of Iran.

“Seizing Iranian territory will embarrass the Iranian regime and create valuable bargaining chips in future negotiations,” one official said, while noting that maintaining control of captured areas would present significant operational challenges.

Speaking at the Future Investment Initiative Priority Summit, President Trump said U.S. forces continue to target Iranian infrastructure and indicated the scale of ongoing operations.

“We have another 3,554 targets left, and that’ll be done pretty quickly,” Trump said. “And then, you know, at some point, we’re going to have to determine what we do.”

Marco Rubio told European leaders the same day that the conflict could continue for an additional two to four weeks, according to Axios.

Military officials have emphasized that ground operations would carry greater risk than ongoing airstrikes, particularly given Iran’s drone capabilities and defensive systems. Thousands of U.S. troops, including Marines, are currently deployed in the region as planning continues.

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