Officials at the US Department of Defense have made detailed preparations for a potential ground invasion of Iran.
CBS News reported on this, citing its own sources.
According to the sources, high-ranking military commanders have submitted specific requests to prepare for such a scenario, while President Donald Trump is considering possible next steps.
The US president has been considering the possibility of deploying ground troops to the region, sources said on condition of anonymity. At the same time, it remains unclear under what conditions he might authorize the use of ground forces.
“No, I’m not deploying troops anywhere. If I were to deploy them, I certainly wouldn’t tell you about it,” he told reporters.
Military officials also held meetings on how to proceed in the event of the possible capture of Iranian military personnel or members of paramilitary groups, should the president decide to deploy ground forces—specifically, where exactly they would be sent.
The planning involves US Army rapid-response forces, including elements of the 82nd Airborne Division and a Marine Expeditionary Unit.
Thousands of Marines are already being deployed to the region. According to two US officials, three military ships, including the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer, and approximately 2,200 Marines departed from California earlier this week.
This is the second such unit deployed since the start of the war, and its deployment could take several weeks. This is significantly earlier than the previously scheduled deployment of this unit to the Middle East.
The first unit aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, which was previously deployed in Japan, is still en route to the area of operations.
In the event of a ground operation, the main target is likely to be the island of Khark, through which the bulk of Iran’s oil exports passes.
In addition, the Pentagon has prepared several options for a ground operation on Iranian territory aimed at seizing nuclear materials.
militarnyi
