Pentagon Prepares for Limited Ground Operations in Iran, Washington Post Reports

The Pentagon is reportedly preparing for weeks of limited ground operations in Iran, potentially including raids on strategic locations like Kharg Island and coastal sites near the Strait of Hormuz. United States officials, speaking to The Washington Post, revealed plans that stop short of a full invasion but would expose US personnel to significant risks.

Details of Proposed Military Actions

According to The Washington Post on Saturday, the potential operations could involve raids by special operations and conventional infantry troops. Key targets under discussion include Kharg Island, a vital Iranian oil export hub in the Gulf, and other coastal areas near the Strait of Hormuz. The primary objective would be to locate and neutralize weapons capable of threatening commercial and military shipping.

Officials suggest these operations could span "weeks, not months," with another source indicating a potential timeline of "a couple of months." US personnel involved would face threats from Iranian drones, missiles, ground fire, and improvised explosives.

White House Weighs In on Plans

Whether President Donald Trump would authorize any of these proposed plans remains uncertain. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the Post's report in a statement, emphasizing, "It's the job of the Pentagon to make preparations in order to give the Commander in Chief maximum optionality. It does not mean the president has made a decision."

US Troop Deployments to the Region

The Trump administration has already deployed US Marines to the Middle East during the ongoing five-week conflict in Iran and plans to send thousands of soldiers from the Army's 82nd Airborne to the region.

On Saturday, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that approximately 3,500 additional soldiers, part of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, arrived in the Middle East aboard the USS Tripoli on March 27. These deployments include transport and strike fighter aircraft, as well as amphibious assault and tactical assets.

Iran Issues Stern Warnings Amid Escalation

Iranian officials have responded forcefully to perceived threats. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Iranian parliament speaker, stated on Sunday, "The enemy openly sends messages of negotiation and dialogue and secretly plans a ground attack." He warned, "Our men are waiting for the arrival of American soldiers on the ground to set fire to them and punish their regional partners forever. Our firing continues. Our missiles are in place."

Ghalibaf's comments, reported by Tasnim news agency, did not explicitly confirm he was reacting to The Washington Post report. Previously, on Wednesday, he had cautioned that intelligence indicated "Iran's enemies" were planning to occupy an Iranian island with support from an unnamed regional country, threatening targeted attacks on that country's "vital infrastructure."

Further escalating the rhetoric, an unnamed military source told Tasnim that Iran could open a new front in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, at the mouth of the Red Sea, if military action occurs on Iranian lands. This source claimed Iran could pose a "credible threat" in the strait, with Yemen's Houthi rebels reportedly prepared to assist in controlling the waterway "if there is a need to control the Bab al-Mandeb Strait to further punish the enemy."

Regional Mediation Efforts Underway

Amidst these heightened tensions, Pakistan, which shares a 900km (559-mile) border with Iran, is acting as a mediator between Washington and Tehran. Pakistan is hosting two days of talks starting Sunday with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Egypt, aiming to de-escalate the situation.

Unanswered Questions and Official Silence

The Pentagon had not responded to The Washington Post's requests for comment as of Saturday, and Iran has yet to issue an official response specifically to the report detailing the proposed US ground operations.

Olley News Insight: Kharg Island is Iran's primary oil terminal, handling the vast majority of its crude oil exports. Any military action targeting this strategic hub or the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world's global oil supply transits, carries immense geopolitical and economic implications, potentially escalating the conflict dramatically.

Key Takeaways

  • The Pentagon is reportedly planning limited ground operations in Iran, falling short of a full invasion.
  • Potential targets include Kharg Island and coastal sites near the Strait of Hormuz, aimed at destroying weapons.
  • The operations could involve special forces and conventional infantry, exposing US troops to significant risks.
  • President Trump has not yet approved the plans, with the White House stating the Pentagon is providing "maximum optionality."
  • The US has already deployed Marines and plans to send thousands more soldiers to the region.
  • Iran has issued strong warnings, threatening retaliatory attacks and the potential opening of a new front in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
  • Pakistan is mediating talks between Washington and Tehran, hosting foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Egypt.