Officials: Trump leaning toward Iran ground invasion — concedes 15-point plan will fail, Kharg op underway
Officials from two mediating countries told TOI that Trump appears to be leaning toward ordering a major US ground operation against Iran, convinced Tehran will capitulate. The US privately concedes Iran is unlikely to accept the 15-point plan. Separately, WSJ reported the Pentagon is weighing deploying an additional 10,000 ground troops to the Middle East to expand Trump's military options. Thousands already pre-positioned toward Kharg Island. Both mediating officials say Iran will not capitulate regardless of a ground operation, but will now accept terms it refused before the war.
Actor responses
Officials: Trump leaning toward ground invasion. US privately concedes 15-point plan unlikely to succeed. Troops dispatched to capture Kharg. Thousands of Marines arriving around Friday deadline.
Mediating officials: Iran will not capitulate regardless of ground operation, but will accept terms it refused before the war. Iran has not commented on US ground invasion plans.
Israel has coordinated closely with US throughout. Israeli strikes on Kharg Island fortifications have been preparing the operational environment for any US ground action.
Sources