The Pentagon is considering deploying airborne troops to Iran to seize Kharg Island, the New York Times reports. According to the Wall Street Journal, US marines are scheduled to arrive in the Middle East on Friday.
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Media: The Pentagon is considering landing in Iran
As reported by the New York Times, high-ranking military officials are considering sending a combat brigade from the US Army's 82nd Airborne Division to support US military operations in Iran.
The brigade has approximately 3,000 soldiers and is capable of deploying anywhere in the world within 18 hours. These forces could be used to seize Kharg Island, Iran's main oil export center – writes the New York Times.
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Media about Kharg Island: Marines and paratroopers on standby
As the American daily adds, another possibility is also being considered, i.e. an attack by approximately 2,500 soldiers from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is heading to this region.
The airfield on Kharg Island was damaged by recent U.S. bombing raids, so former U.S. commanders told the NYT that it was more likely to first bring in marines whose sappers could repair the airfield.
In such a scenario, it is possible that soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division will reinforce the Marines. The advantage of paratroopers' participation is that they can get there overnight. The disadvantage is that they do not have heavy equipment, such as heavily armored vehicles, that could provide protection in the event of a counterattack by Iranian forces, current and former officials say.
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When will the marines reach Iran?
And according to reports in the Wall Street Journal, thousands of US marines are expected to arrive in the Middle East on Friday, according to two US officials, which is the day President Trump set a deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Donald Trump announced on Monday about talks with the Iranian authorities that have been going on for two days. He also announced that he was postponing the previously announced military attacks on Iranian infrastructure for five days (on Saturday, the president announced that Iranian power plants would become the target of attacks if Tehran did not completely open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours). Tehran vehemently denies any negotiations with the US have taken place.
CBS News also reports that there have been no changes to plans to send thousands of marines and sailors to the Middle East.
The second Marine Expeditionary Force, with about 2,200 Marines and three warships, left California last week, two U.S. officials said earlier. It may take at least three weeks to arrive, but may take longer. The first Marine expeditionary force coming from the Pacific is still heading toward the region, CBS News writes.
