Three US officials told Reuters on 22/3 that 2,500 marines, along with the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer and its escort warships, would arrive in the Middle East. However, officials did not disclose their specific mission. Two officials confirmed that the US has not yet decided whether to deploy ground troops into Iranian territory.
US military news site War Zone suggested that the rapid deployment of the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is a move to support Operation Horrific Rage.
The Pentagon declined to comment on the information, stating it had nothing to announce regarding the upcoming deployment.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Pentagon's mission is to provide maximum flexibility for the US president. "This does not mean he has made a decision. The president has said there are no plans to deploy ground forces anywhere at this time," she stated.
If confirmed, this would be the second Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) deployed by the US to the Middle East. US media reported last week that the ARG Tripoli, along with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), had begun moving from the Pacific Ocean to the Persian Gulf, expected to participate in operations targeting Iran.
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Location of Kharg Island. Graphic: CNBC |
According to US news agency Axios, President Donald Trump's administration may be leaning towards blockading Kharg Island, known as Iran's "oil lifeline". The primary goal is to increase pressure on Tehran and force it to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
"President Trump wants to open the Strait of Hormuz. If he believes seizing Kharg Island is necessary to achieve this, or decides to launch an amphibious assault, that operation will happen. However, President Trump has not finalized a course of action," a US official said.
The US launched large-scale airstrikes targeting military objectives on Kharg last weekend, but did not attack oil and gas infrastructure on the island.
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The amphibious assault ship USS Boxer at sea on 27/2. Photo: US Navy |
Experts believe that deploying troops to Kharg Island would be a significant escalation. It would require a large-scale, prolonged operation with many inherent risks, potentially leading to serious consequences, even domestically within the US.
The island is approximately 32 km from the mainland, making US forces stationed there vulnerable to attacks from Iran using various weapons. Additionally, US amphibious assault ships would face difficulties navigating through the Strait of Hormuz to reach Kharg Island.
A naval blockade of Kharg Island would be easier to implement in the short term. However, it also carries the risk of Iran attacking US warships using suicide boats, anti-ship cruise missiles, and other asymmetrical weapons.
Nguyen Tien (According to AFP, Reuters, War Zone)
