Pentagon plans Kharg Island raids and Hormuz ground ops — Trump not yet approved

The Washington Post, citing US officials, reported that the Pentagon is preparing plans for a possible second phase of the Iran war involving weeks-long US ground operations. The planning includes raids on Kharg Island — through which approximately 90% of Iran's oil exports flow — and on Iranian coastal military installations near the Strait of Hormuz. Such operations would be designed to support the reopening of Hormuz and degrade Iranian naval capabilities. If Trump approves, the campaign would represent a fundamentally new phase of the war: moving from air-only strikes to amphibious and ground operations, significantly more dangerous to US personnel. The 2,500 Marines of the 31st MEU who arrived Saturday aboard the USS Tripoli amphibious ready group are now seen in this planning context — they specialize in exactly this type of coastal assault. Trump stated publicly there are 'very strong talks' underway with Iran on a diplomatic solution, but the simultaneous military planning signals the US is maintaining maximum pressure and keeping all options open.