Middle East Conflict | US Reportedly Considering Options for Troop Increase and Ground Force Deployment

Reuters reports, citing U.S. officials and informed sources, that as the U.S. military prepares for the next steps against Iran, the Trump administration is considering deploying thousands of additional troops to the Middle East to strengthen U.S. operations in the region. This would give President Trump more options when evaluating whether to expand U.S. actions. The sources emphasize that it is unlikely the U.S. will deploy ground forces inside Iran in the near future.

The Iran conflict has now entered its third week. White House officials say no decision has been made to send ground troops, but Trump is wisely keeping all options open. The Pentagon declined to comment.

Sources say options include ensuring the safe passage of oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, primarily through air and naval forces. However, truly securing the strait could also mean deploying U.S. troops along the Iranian coast.

Informed sources also indicate that the Trump administration has discussed the possibility of deploying ground forces to Khark Island in Iran. Such actions carry extremely high risks. Iran has the capability to strike the island with missiles and drones. Military experts believe that, given the island’s critical role in Iran’s economy, controlling it might be preferable to destroying it. Khark Island is a hub for 90% of Iran’s oil exports.

Due to relatively low public support in the U.S. for actions against Iran, and considering Trump’s campaign promise to avoid U.S. involvement in new Middle East conflicts, any use of ground forces—even for limited missions—could pose significant political risks for Trump.

Sources also reveal that Trump administration officials have discussed the possibility of deploying U.S. forces to secure Iran’s high-enriched uranium stockpiles.

Sources believe it is unlikely the U.S. will deploy ground forces inside Iran in the near future, but they refuse to discuss specific military plans. Experts say that even for U.S. special operations forces, securing Iran’s uranium reserves would be extremely complex and highly risky.