Information: US considering deploying ground troops against Iran

Published 22.35

Published 22.35

          

         According to New York Times information, the ground troops would come from a brigade of about             3,000 soldiers. Photo: Nathan Posner / AP

According to sources inside the Pentagon, the US is currently considering deploying ground troops against Iran.

The plan involves 3,000 soldiers to take over the island of Kharg.

This is reported by the New York Times.

           

           Photo: Bruce Newman /AP

Donald Trump has spoken of progress in negotiations with Iran. He has paused US attacks and that a peace agreement might be on the way. But at the same time, the US is planning for scenarios in the war where ground troops are deployed.

The ground troops, according to the New York Times, would come from a brigade of about 3,000 soldiers that could be deployed anywhere in the world within 18 hours.

It involves a combat brigade from the US 82nd Airborne Division, as well as parts of the division's staff, to support current and future military operations in Iran.

This is what defense officials told the New York Times.

 

The US attacks are paused. Photo: Nathan Posner /AP

The plan: Take control of Kharg Island

The officials tell the newspaper that nothing has yet been ordered by the Pentagon or US Central Command. No decision has been made.

The ground troops, according to the plan, could be airdropped and then used to take control of Kharg Island, Iran's most important oil export hub.

Another possibility being considered, if President Trump were to give the go-ahead, is an attack by about 2,500 Marines who are currently en route to the area.

The airfield on Kharg Island has been damaged by recent US bombings. Therefore, according to the New York Times, it would be likely to send in the Marines first, whose engineering troops can quickly repair the airfield and other infrastructure.

 

Kharg Island is Iran's most important oil export hub. Photo: Backiris / Getty Images

Used several times in recent years

Once the airfield is repaired, the Air Force could begin transporting equipment, supplies and possibly additional troops by transport aircraft.

In such a scenario, troops from the 82nd Airborne Division could reinforce the Marines. The advantage of paratroopers is that they can be on site quickly. The disadvantage is that they lack heavy equipment, such as armored vehicles, which would provide protection in the event of an Iranian counterattack.

The Marine Corps, on the other hand, lacks the endurance and long-term capability of forces from the 82nd Airborne Division, according to the New York Times.

The 82nd Airborne Division's rapid-reaction force has been deployed on short notice several times in recent years, including:

in the Middle East in 2020 after the attack on the embassy in Baghdad

in Afghanistan in 2021 for evacuations

in Eastern Europe in 2022 in connection with the war in Ukraine