The Pentagon is studying several hypotheses in its war in the Middle East, which has been ongoing since late February.
Images of a US training exercise simulating a landing have never seemed so current. Two ships with amphibious capabilities like those used in these sequences are on their way to the Middle East, along with parachutists. The dispatch of an additional 10,000 men is also being considered, according to American media. The Pentagon is preparing various scenarios in case negotiations fail. The first is to seize control of Kharg Island, which is highly strategic as 90% of Iranian oil exports pass through there. The US has already carried out strikes in the area without targeting the oil infrastructure.
Controlling rather than destroying could be a means of pressure on Tehran: “It is the stronghold of the Pasdaran. It’s a kind of gas station, a gas station if you will, where tankers come to refuel and where money flows to pay the regime in Tehran,” explains General Dominique Trinquand, former head of the French military mission to the UN.
Another option being considered by Washington is to attack Qeshm and Larak Islands in the Strait of Hormuz and land on nearby shores to secure the passage of cargo ships. Iranian intelligence services are on high alert: “According to our information, Iran’s enemies, with the support of a country in the region, are preparing an operation to occupy an Iranian island. All enemy movements are being monitored by our armed forces,” announced Mohammad Ghalibaf, the president of the Iranian parliament.
According to Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State visiting France, the United States is simply being prudent: “We can achieve all our goals without too many troops on the ground, but we always want to be prepared to give the president all options,” Marco Rubio stated.
The last scenario is to send special forces to seize Iranian enriched uranium. For now, the US continues with airstrikes. An invasion of the entire territory is currently impossible. It would require a much larger military operation. Officially, Donald Trump still favors diplomacy. Whichever scenario is chosen, it would be a risky move militarily and politically. Sending troops to the ground remains unpopular in the United States.
