Trump weighs risky ground troop options as Iran war enters third week

The administration of Donald Trump is considering sending thousands of United States troops to the Middle East as it weighs the next phase of its campaign against Iran, according to a Reuters exclusive citing multiple officials and people familiar with the discussions.

The deliberations come as the conflict with Iran moves into its third week, raising the stakes for Washington and testing the limits of its military and political strategy. While no final decision has been taken, the potential deployments are designed to give Trump a broader set of options, including moves that could significantly expand the scope of the war.

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At the centre of the discussions is the security of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil shipments. Officials say the United States could rely mainly on air and naval power to ensure safe passage for tankers.

However, some proposals go further, raising the possibility of placing American troops along Iran’s coastline to secure the route.
Such a move would mark a sharp escalation. It would also expose United States forces to direct confrontation on Iranian territory, a scenario that military planners have long viewed as highly sensitive.

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Another option under consideration involves deploying ground forces to Kharg Island, which handles the vast majority of Iran’s oil exports. According to the Reuters report, some officials believe taking control of the island could deliver a strategic advantage without destroying infrastructure that is vital to Iran’s economy.

Yet the risks are clear. Iranian forces retain the ability to strike the island with missiles and drones, making any operation there potentially costly. United States strikes have already targeted military positions on the island earlier this month, underscoring its importance in the conflict.

Beyond oil, discussions have also touched on securing Iran’s stockpiles of highly enriched uranium. Experts warn that such a mission would be among the most complex and dangerous, even for elite forces, given the likely defences and the uncertainty surrounding the exact locations of the material.

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For Trump, the military calculus is closely tied to politics at home. Public support in the United States for the campaign remains limited, and the prospect of deploying ground troops could clash with his long standing pledge to avoid new Middle East wars.

Officials familiar with the planning stress that no immediate deployment appears imminent.