עברית
Pentagon Preps Iran Ground Options as Thousands of Marines Head to the Middle East
About 5,000 Marines have already arrived in the region, with another 5,000 expected this week, according to U.S. reports. President Donald Trump has not yet decided whether to authorize broad or targeted ground operations in Iran.
U.S. Marines (Photo: Shutterstock)"The Washington Post" reported today (Sunday) that the Pentagon is preparing for the possibility that President Donald Trump will approve ground operations in Iran. Last night, U.S. Central Command confirmed that a task force of 5,000 troops had arrived in the Middle East. An identical number is expected to reach the region in the coming week.
According to the report, the U.S. military is preparing for several options: a large-scale invasion, or a series of targeted actions combining special forces and infantry. The objectives: Iran's coastline and the Strait of Hormuz area, to locate and destroy weapons that could threaten commercial and military vessels. Some of the scenarios examined also include seizing Kharg Island, a key hub for Iran's oil exports.
The report said it is unclear whether President Trump intends to approve the entire plan, or only parts of it. White House spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt said in response to the report: "The Pentagon's role is to make preparations to give the commander in chief the maximum options. That does not mean the president has already made a decision".
