The administration of Donald Trump is considering the deployment of thousands of American troops to strengthen its war efforts against Iran in what could mark a new phase of the conflict.
According to Reuters, citing sources familiar with the matter, including US officials, the proposed deployment is aimed at ensuring safe passage for oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, a mission expected to rely largely on air and naval forces.
Iranian naval vessels and submarines have been among the main targets of US strikes.
However, securing the Strait may also involve positioning US troops along Iran’s shoreline and deploying ground forces to Kharg Island, which accounts for about 90 percent of Iran’s oil exports, the sources said.
One official noted that such an operation would carry significant risks, as Iran possesses the capability to target the island using missiles and drones.
Since the conflict began on February 28, at least 13 US troops have been killed, while about 200 others have sustained injuries.
The sources also indicated that officials within the Trump administration have discussed the possibility of deploying US forces to secure Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
Trump has stated that his objectives extend beyond weakening Iran’s military capacity and could include ensuring safe navigation through the Strait and preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.
There has been limited interest from allied nations in joining the conflict.
Earlier this month, a Marist poll conducted in partnership with NPR and PBS News revealed that 56 percent of Americans oppose US military action in Iran. Similarly, a Quinnipiac survey conducted around the same period showed that 53 percent oppose the strikes, while about 40 percent support them.
A separate Reuters/Ipsos poll found that only 27 percent of respondents approved of the strikes.
At the onset of the war, Trump said he expected the conflict to last between four and five weeks, but acknowledged that it could go “far longer”.
The war has now entered its third week.