Potential troop movements suggests Washington is weighing its options
Summary
President Donald Trump says the US has “totally obliterated” every military target on Iran’s Kharg Island, and warns he could target oil infrastructure
In response, Tehran warns oil and energy infrastructure belonging to firms that cooperate with the US will be “turned into a pile of ashes” if Iran’s energy facilities are attacked
Around 90% of Iran’s oil exports pass through the island making it a critical economic lifeline for Tehran, explains one security analyst
The US embassy in Baghdad has been struck by a missile, according to Iraqi officials
Earlier, two officials told the BBC’s partner CBS News that the US is expected to send a marine unit and more warships to the Middle East
Paul Adams
Diplomatic correspondent
It’s being widely reported in US media that the American military is sending additional forces to the Gulf, including what’s known as an amphibious ready group (ARG), with up to 5,000 Marines and sailors.
The amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli will join the substantial armada already operating off the coast of Iran.
It’s not clear which other vessels will accompany the Tripoli, but an ARG typically includes ships capable of carrying landing craft, as well as large numbers of helicopters.
The latest deployments suggest the Pentagon is considering an expanded range of options. These could include protecting commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and conceivably some kind of limited amphibious landing.
One possible objective is Iran’s tiny Kharg Island, in the northern Gulf.
Lying 22 miles off the Iranian mainland, Kharg is a vital oil hub, where tankers have been seen filling up with Iranian oil since the war began two weeks ago.
More US Marines to be sent to Middle East, reports saypublished at 08:23
More US Marines and warships are expected to be deployed to the Middle East, two officials confirmed to CBS News, the BBC’s US partner.
The officials said the reinforcements were to come from an amphibious ready group and its Marine expeditionary unit, with one official adding that the group would be led by the Japan-based USS Tripoli, an amphibious assault ship.
The unit headed by the USS Tripoli typically consists of around 5,000 sailors and Marines distributed across several warships.
The movement of US personnel was first reported by the Wall Street Journal, external.
The BBC has approached the US military and the Pentagon for comment, though future troop movements are usually not confirmed publicly.
Why the US targeted Iran’s Kharg Islandpublished at 08:16
President Donald Trump says US forces have “totally obliterated” all military targets on Iran’s Kharg Island.
In this video, security analyst Mikey Kay explains why the island is so critical for Tehran.
US strikes Kharg Island
Image source,ReutersImage caption, Satellite image of Kharg Island on 25 February
Shortly after boarding Air Force One for Florida on Friday, US President Donald Trump posted to Truth Social that the US military had bombed Iran’s Kharg Island.
“The United States Central Command executed one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East and totally obliterated every MILITARY target in Iran’s crown jewel, Kharg Island,” Trump said.
“I have chosen NOT to wipe out the Oil Infrastructure on the Island. However, should Iran, or anyone else, do anything to interfere with the Free and Safe Passage of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision,” he continued.
In response, Iran’s military says oil and energy infrastructure belonging to firms working with the US would “immediately be destroyed and turned into a pile of ashes” if its energy facilities are attacked, local media reported.
US attacks Iran’s oil export hubpublished at 08:13
We have moved our live coverage here, and will continue to bring you the latest developments on the war between the US, Israel and Iran.
- President Donald Trump says the US has “totally obliterated” every military target on Iran’s Kharg Island, and warns he could target oil infrastructure
- In response, Tehran warns oil and energy infrastructure belonging to firms that cooperate with the US will be destroyed if Iran’s energy facilities are attacked
- Around 90% of Iran’s oil exports pass through Kharg Island, making it a critical economic lifeline for Tehran
- The US embassy in Baghdad has been struck by a missile, according to Iraqi officials
- Earlier, two officials told the BBC’s partner CBS News that the US is expected to send a marine unit and more warships to the Middle East
- The officials said the reinforcements were to come from an amphibious ready group and its Marine expeditionary unit, with one official adding that the group would be led by the Japan-based USS Tripoli BBC
