Pentagon Plans Raids on Kharg Island and Hormuz Coastal Sites

The Washington Post reported that the Pentagon is actively planning weeks of US ground operations in Iran, with Kharg Island — the terminal through which roughly 90% of Iranian oil exports flow — and Iranian coastal military installations near the Strait of Hormuz as primary targets. The plans have not been approved by President Trump, who has simultaneously cited 'very strong talks' with Iran on a diplomatic exit. The 2,500-strong 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit that arrived in the Middle East on Saturday aboard the USS Tripoli amphibious ready group is viewed in direct context of these plans — the unit specializes in exactly this type of coastal assault and island seizure. If executed, the operation would mark the most significant escalation of the conflict: moving from an air-only campaign to amphibious and ground combat, with substantially higher risk to US personnel. Kharg Island seizure would simultaneously deprive Iran of its primary oil revenue and remove Iran's ability to threaten Hormuz from its own territory.

Key facts

• •Pentagon preparing plans for weeks of ground operations in Iran — Kharg Island + Hormuz coastal raids
• •Kharg Island handles ~90% of Iranian oil exports — seizure would cut Iran's primary revenue source
• •31st MEU (2,500 Marines, USS Tripoli ARG) already in region — trained for amphibious/coastal assault
• •Trump has not approved plans; simultaneously citing 'very strong talks' on diplomatic solution
• •WaPo: would be 'significantly more dangerous to US troops than the first four weeks'