New York Times: Hundreds of U.S. special forces have arrived in the Middle East, with Navy SEALs set to spearhead the mission to seize Iranian nuclear facilities.

The New York Times quoted two military officials revealing that hundreds of Army Rangers and Navy SEALs have quietly arrived in the Middle East, with the goal of “providing more options” for potential U.S. military action against Iran, focusing on the Strait of Hormuz, Khark Island, and Iranian nuclear facilities.
(Background: Latest on the U.S.-Iran war: Pentagon ground forces prepare to attack; Saudi U.S. military base hit by missiles; the probability of reopening the Strait of Hormuz is down to 24%)
(Background supplement: On the 28th day of the U.S.-Iran war, JPMorgan says Bitcoin has passed the “digital gold” qualification test)

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• Mission Focus: Nuclear Facilities, Strait, Oil Island
• War Background: February 28 U.S.-Israel joint strike ignites the fuse
• Rising Risk Aversion

The New York Times reported on March 29 local time that two informed U.S. military officials indicated that hundreds of U.S. special operations personnel—including Army Rangers and Navy SEALs—have been quietly deployed to the Middle East. This elite ground combat force has not yet been assigned specific missions, but their arrival itself sends a strong signal: Washington is preparing for direct military action against Iran.

Mission Focus: Nuclear Facilities, Strait, Oil Island

The New York Times pointed out that, based on the information it has, the special operations forces may be involved in three types of missions: blocking or assaulting the Strait of Hormuz, seizing Iran’s main oil export facility at Khark Island, and conducting ground assault operations against Iranian nuclear facilities. CNN concurrently reported that over 1,000 U.S. soldiers are currently preparing to deploy to the Middle East, with the 82nd Airborne Division commander Maj. Gen. Brandon Tegtmeier already leading his staff there; the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit has also headed towards Middle Eastern waters.
The New York Times further mentioned that one of the core concerns for U.S. officials is the whereabouts of Iran’s near-weapons-grade enriched uranium—according to intelligence assessments cited by Fortune, this stockpile may have been secretly relocated, and ground assault operations could be one of the last means to prevent nuclear proliferation.

War Background: February 28 U.S.-Israel Joint Strike Ignites the Fuse

The roots of this round of tensions can be traced back to the February 28, 2026, joint strike by U.S. and Israeli forces against Iran, which formally ignited the 2026 U.S.-Iran war. The conflict has now lasted over 28 days, and the fighting has not only impacted Middle Eastern geopolitics but has also plunged global oil and financial markets into a state of high uncertainty. Whether the Strait of Hormuz—which is crucial for about 20% of global crude oil exports—can remain open has become one of the most sensitive variables in the international market; currently, external assessments estimate that the probability of reopening the Strait is only 24%.

Rising Risk Aversion

The news of U.S. special forces deployment continues to elevate market risk aversion. During the war, Bitcoin has experienced extreme volatility—liquidation waves and options expiration sell-offs alternating in impact—but JPMorgan recently pointed out that Bitcoin has demonstrated its resilience as “digital gold,” having passed an unprecedented qualification test. Analysts are focused on whether, if the situation escalates further and oil prices break key resistance, funds will flow into Bitcoin as a safe-haven asset or if panic selling will again dominate market rhythms.
The New York Times report highlights a key point: this group of special forces “has not yet been assigned specific missions”—indicating that they are still in the “options preparation” stage, and the diplomatic window has not completely closed. However, with elite ground forces actually arriving, the threshold for escalation has significantly lowered, and the upcoming days of diplomatic and military dynamics will directly influence oil prices, safe-haven assets, and the direction of the cryptocurrency market.