Photo: Reuters
The Pentagon has begun preparations for possible ground operations in Iran, which could last from several weeks to two months, reports The Washington Post, citing sources.
According to the publication, none of the scenarios currently being considered by the Pentagon involve a large-scale invasion. The preparations mainly include limited raids on weapons facilities along the coast of the Strait of Hormuz, which could destroy commercial and military ships, as well as the seizure of Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export hub. Both special forces and regular infantry are involved in these operations.
The publication notes that any ground mission could put U.S. military personnel at risk: they may face attacks from missiles and drones, threats from improvised explosive devices, and gunfire from the ground.
It is not yet known whether Donald Trump has officially approved the ground campaign. White House Press Secretary Caroline Liewitt told The Washington Post that the Pentagon’s task is to prepare for any scenario and to “provide the commander-in-chief with maximum freedom of action.” She clarified that this does not mean the president has made a decision regarding the operation.
One source stated that achieving the objectives may require “not months, but several weeks.” Another source indicated that the operation “could last several months.”
Senator Lindsey Graham said in a statement: “We won at Iwo Jima, we can handle this too. I always trust the capabilities of the Marine Corps.”
Meanwhile, a letter from Lieutenant General Leonard F. Anderson, commander of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, has circulated on social media. The authenticity of the letter has not been confirmed. In it, the commander urges reservists to check their combat readiness, explaining that “currently the nation’s armed forces are participating in operations related to Iran, and a general mobilization could become a reality.”
American media outlets have been discussing preparations for a ground operation in Iran for several days. No official information has been released. On March 20, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he would “not send troops anywhere.”
Currently, U.S. warships that have arrived in the Middle East can accommodate more than 4,000 Marines. Additionally, personnel of the 82nd Airborne Division are on combat alert.
The potential ground operation may not have public support in the United States. According to a recent Associated Press poll, 62% of respondents opposed using armed forces in Iran, while only 12% supported such a plan.
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