US weighs sending thousands of troops to region as Iran war rages: Report

Email: online@newsofbahrain.com

WASHINGTON: The Trump administration is reportedly considering the deployment of thousands of troops to the Middle East as the military conflict with Iran enters its third week. The administration is weighing these reinforcements as a means to expand its tactical options, even as such a move risks further entrenching the United States in a foreign war.

Strategic planning prioritises the security of global energy supplies, particularly within the Strait of Hormuz. Discussions include potential ground deployments to the Iranian shoreline and Kharg Island, the terminal for nearly 90% of Iran’s oil exports. 

While the island has already sustained US strikes, officials note that a ground operation would be high-risk due to Iran’s missile and drone defences. Additionally, there are internal discussions regarding the use of specialised forces to secure Iran’s stocks of highly enriched uranium.

The broader military campaign, "Operation Epic Fury", has already seen significant activity since its launch on 28 February. US Central Command reports more than 7,800 strikes and the destruction of over 120 Iranian vessels. 

The administration maintains that its objectives are clear: the total neutralisation of Iran's ballistic missile capacity, the annihilation of its navy, and a guarantee that the nation can never possess a nuclear weapon. A White House official noted that while the president is focused on these defined goals, he "wisely keeps all options at his disposal."

The potential deployment of ground troops carries significant political and military implications. Domestically, public support for the campaign remains low, and an escalation involving ground forces would test the limits of the administration’s current mandate. As the military operation continues, the US is balancing the objectives of "Operation Epic Fury" against the risks of a prolonged regional engagement and the technical difficulty of securing hardened military and nuclear assets.

Photo Credits: AFP