Thousands of paratroopers from Fort Bragg, North Carolina have arrived in the Middle East, joining thousands of sailors, Marines and Special Ops forces that have been building over the past week, Reuters reported.
The buildup shows a potential interest in a ground operations, with the Washington Post reporting that the Pentagon is preparing a plan for potential weeks of force activity in the region. While this plan exists, it is up to President Trump whether to pursue it.
Having soldiers on the ground could provide the ability to reopen the Hormuz canal or seize Kharg Island, the hub for 90% of Iran’s oil exports, Military Times reported. Full-scale invasion would prove to be politically challenging, with public opinion siding against boots-on-the-ground operations.
Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jillian Hix
