▲ Latest statements from Iran, the United States, and Israel.
The United States continues to increase its military presence in the Middle East, with reports that the Pentagon is preparing for a weeks-long ground operation in Iran. President Trump stated, “What I want most is to seize Iranian oil.” Meanwhile, Pakistan has announced it will host U.S.-Iran talks to seek to ease tensions; Iran warned that if U.S. troops dare to launch ground actions on Iranian soil, they would be turned to ashes.
U.S. Military May Launch Limited Ground Operations in Iran for Weeks
The Washington Post cited several anonymous officials, stating that if Trump decides to escalate the conflict, the U.S. military might launch limited ground operations, but without a full invasion. Instead, mixed units of special forces and conventional infantry would aim for specific targets for precision strikes.
Recent discussions at the White House have focused on seizing Iran’s major oil export hub, Khark Island, and launching raids along coastal areas around the Strait of Hormuz to destroy military facilities that may threaten international shipping. Officials indicated these actions are expected to take weeks to complete, rather than long-term occupation.
Israel, which has been conducting airstrikes against Iran alongside the U.S., seems to focus more on border security and eliminating Iranian proxies. Israeli military actions against Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed Shiite militant group, continue. Netanyahu stated that they would expand the current ‘security belt’ in southern Lebanon to address threats from the north.
Pakistan Announces It Will Host U.S.-Iran Talks
On another front, Pakistan announced it would host talks between the U.S. and Iran to seek diplomatic breakthroughs for the ongoing war lasting almost a month. However, Washington and Tehran have not formally responded, and it remains unclear whether the talks will be direct or indirect.
▲ Iran warns of destruction for U.S. ground troops.
U.S. Ground Troops Assemble in Middle East, Iran Warns of Serious Consequences
Despite the emergence of diplomatic channels, battlefield tension continues to rise. With approximately 2,500 U.S. Marines who have amphibious landing capabilities now deployed in the Middle East, Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, openly criticized the discussions as superficial ‘smokescreen’, warning that Iranian forces are preparing to respond to U.S. ground attacks.
► Pakistan Announces It Will Host U.S.-Iran Talks, Iran Threatens: Burn U.S. Ground Troops to Ashes
▲ Trump claims he wants to seize Iranian oil.
Trump: What I Want Most is to Seize Iranian Oil
In a recent media interview, Trump took a hard line, stating that his first choice for war with Iran would be to seize the oil, naming Khark Island as a critical target. Trump even revealed that, despite ongoing indirect negotiations through Pakistan, he has set April 6 as a deadline, and if no agreement is reached by then, he will launch further strikes on Iran’s energy sector.
Analysis indicates that Khark Island is vital for Iranian oil exports, and any attack or seizure could severely impact the Iranian economy, but it may also trigger larger-scale conflict and disrupt global energy markets.
▲ Khark Island, Iran.
Overall, the U.S. military deployment and diplomatic maneuvers are proceeding in parallel, but both sides maintain hardline and distrustful stances. If ground operations eventually commence, the situation in the Middle East could rapidly escalate into a more uncertain phase of heightened risk.