American press reports have revealed a military plan to seize strategic islands in the Gulf, using a Marine unit of 2,200 troops, as part of efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively closed since the outbreak of the war three weeks ago.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the Pentagon has deployed the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, a rapid response force of approximately 2,200 Marines, to the Middle East.
The newspaper, citing current and former US officials, stated that Washington may use this unit to seize one or more islands off Iran’s southern coast, either as leverage in negotiations or as forward bases to counter Iranian attacks on commercial shipping.
The unit, stationed aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, is expected to arrive in the Middle East from Japan within approximately one week.
For its part, Israel’s official public broadcaster Kan reported that the US military is preparing to seize control of the Strait of Hormuz, a process that may take up to two weeks, noting that the Israeli army will participate in the campaign to control it.
Potential Targets
The Wall Street Journal identified three main islands that could be targeted in the operation. These include Kharg Island, which accounts for 90 percent of Iran’s oil exports, Qeshm Island, considered a strategic gateway located at the entrance of the strait, and Kish Island, where small Iranian attack boats are stationed and contribute to disrupting maritime traffic.
The report added that the United States aims to seize these islands to use them as bargaining tools or as advanced bases to repel Iranian attacks on commercial vessels.
The newspaper quoted retired General Frank McKenzie, former commander of US Central Command, as saying that seizing Kharg Island, through which 90 percent of Iranian oil passes, would give Washington a “bargaining chip” instead of completely destroying infrastructure, thereby avoiding permanent damage to the global economy.
Britain Joins the Planning
Meanwhile, CBS News revealed that a team of British military planners is working with the US military to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The network reported that the British team, relatively small in size, is based within US Central Command and is studying options for reopening the strait.
It added that this team complements an existing British planning group already operating at US Central Command headquarters at MacDill Air Force Base near Tampa, Florida.
CBS News also cited diplomats as saying that the United Kingdom and other US allies had been hesitant to join active US military operations against Iran.
However, it indicated that allies such as Britain and Japan may consider, after hostilities end, deploying assets such as mine detection equipment, according to several officials familiar with ongoing diplomatic efforts.
20 Percent of Global Oil Disrupted
Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway through which approximately 20 percent of the world’s oil passes, by launching attacks on commercial shipping in response to the joint US Israeli military strike that targeted the upper ranks of Iranian leadership.
The closure of the strait has caused severe damage to the global economy, driven up gasoline prices in the United States and elsewhere, and created a military and political dilemma for Trump.
Despite nearly three weeks having passed since the US and Israeli strikes, Iran continues to respond, targeting Israel, US bases and forces, and their allies in the region.
