The United States is reportedly preparing for an extended phase of ground operations in Iran, as the ongoing West Asia conflict moves into its fifth week. According to a report by The Washington Post, the Pentagon is evaluating plans that could include targeted raids on key locations such as Kharg Island and coastal areas near the Strait of Hormuz.
The proposed operations may involve a combination of special forces and conventional infantry units. However, it remains unclear whether President Donald Trump will approve these plans. Officials cited in the report indicated that any such action would be limited in scope and would not amount to a full-scale invasion of Iranian territory.
Discussions within the administration have reportedly focused on the strategic importance of Kharg Island, which hosts Iran’s largest oil export terminal, as well as other coastal zones near the Strait of Hormuz. These areas are believed to be critical for locating and neutralising weapons systems capable of targeting commercial and military vessels. The Strait, a vital global shipping route, has faced significant disruption since the conflict began.
Sources familiar with the planning process suggested that the operations under consideration could last several weeks, though some estimates indicate a timeline stretching to a couple of months. A former senior defence official described the preparations as detailed and long-standing, emphasising that such scenarios had already been extensively war-gamed rather than developed at short notice.
According to the same official, capturing territory such as Kharg Island could provide the United States with strategic leverage in future negotiations, while also dealing a symbolic blow to Iran’s leadership. However, he cautioned that the greater challenge would lie not in seizing territory but in maintaining control and ensuring the safety of deployed forces.
Kharg Island, which accounts for a significant share of Iran’s crude oil exports, has already been a target of recent U.S. airstrikes. President Trump has previously referred to it as a critical asset for Tehran. He has also repeatedly urged Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting its importance for global energy supplies and maritime trade.
The developments underscore the possibility of a calibrated escalation, as Washington appears to weigh limited military objectives against the risks of a broader regional conflict.