The administration of Donald Trump is considering deploying thousands of additional US troops to the Middle East as Washington weighs expanding its military campaign against Iran, according to US officials and sources familiar with the discussions.
In an exclusive report, officials said the potential reinforcements are aimed at giving the US president broader strategic options as the war enters a possible new phase, with operations already extending into their third week.
The deployment plans include securing safe passage for oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global chokepoint disrupted by the conflict, primarily using air and naval forces. However, sources said such a mission could also involve positioning US troops along Iran’s coastline.
Officials are also discussing the possibility of deploying ground forces to Kharg Island, which handles about 90% of Iran’s oil exports. While the US has already struck military targets on the island, military experts say controlling the facility could be more strategically valuable than destroying it, despite the significant risks posed by Iran’s missile and drone capabilities.
The administration has further explored options to secure Iran’s stockpiles of highly enriched uranium, though experts warn that such an operation would be complex and dangerous, even for elite US special forces.
A White House official said no final decision has been made on deploying ground troops, emphasising that all options remain under consideration as part of ongoing military planning.
“There has been no decision to send ground troops at this time, but President Trump wisely keeps all options at his disposal,” the official said.
The official added that the administration’s objectives include dismantling Iran’s missile capabilities, neutralising its naval forces, limiting the reach of its regional proxies, and preventing it from developing nuclear weapons.
The discussions come as US forces intensify operations against Iran’s military infrastructure, including its navy, missile stockpiles, and defence industry. According to US Central Command, more than 7,800 strikes have been carried out since the war began on February 28, damaging or destroying over 120 Iranian vessels.
Despite the escalation, deploying ground troops remains politically sensitive, with limited public support in the United States for the conflict and concerns about deeper military entanglement in the Middle East.
US casualties have also mounted, with 13 troops killed and about 200 wounded since the start of the war, although most injuries have been reported as minor.
The potential reinforcement plans go beyond the expected arrival of an Amphibious Ready Group and a Marine Expeditionary Unit, which includes more than 2,000 Marines, highlighting the scale of options under consideration.
At the same time, the US military is adjusting its force posture, including sending the USS Gerald R. Ford to Greece for maintenance following a fire, a move that reduces available naval capacity in the region.
Trump has also shifted his stance on securing the Strait of Hormuz, initially suggesting US naval escorts for commercial vessels before calling on allies to take responsibility. With limited international support, he has even questioned whether the US should remain directly involved in safeguarding the route.
“I wonder what would happen if we ‘finished off’ what’s left of the Iranian Terror State, and let the Countries that use it, we don’t, be responsible for the so called ‘Strait?’,” Trump said.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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