The United States Department of Defense is studying a scenario of ground operations limited in time, within the operation ‘Epic Fury’. The strategy focuses on specific actions on the ground, with special forces units and infantry contingents, oriented towards concrete objectives and not a prolonged occupation of the country.
Sources cited by The Washington Post point out that the approach seeks to increase pressure on Iran without assuming the costs of a conventional invasion.
Jark and the Strait of Hormuz, strategic objectives
One of the scenarios that Washington has evaluated in recent weeks is the taking of Kharg Island, a key enclave for the export of Iranian oil. Its control would have a direct impact on the country's energy capacity.
At the same time, the Pentagon has analyzed possible operations in coastal areas near the Strait of Hormuz, with the aim of neutralizing Iranian capabilities against commercial and military vessels.
The control of these points not only has military value. It directly affects the flow of oil and gas at a global level.
The main risk: holding positions under constant fire
The biggest problem is not the entry, but the permanence.
Experts cited in the analysis warn of the difficulty of maintaining positions in Iranian territory under constant attacks with drones, artillery, and retaliation systems.
The possibility of securing enclaves like Jark for weeks would imply a high level of exposure for the deployed troops.
An increasing military deployment
United States has significantly increased its presence in the Middle East.
The amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli has arrived in the region with approximately 3,500 personnel, aircraft, and tactical capabilities. Added to this is the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, with around 2,200 personnel, and the additional deployment of elements from an airborne division and a combat brigade.
Collectively, different media point to that the number of troops could increase by thousands if the operation escalates.
Casualties and operational pressure in the first month of conflict
The conflict has already had an impact on U.S. forces.
In the first month, 13 military personnel have died in different incidents and more than 300 have been wounded in attacks linked to the Iranian response in several countries of the region.
This context conditions any decision about an expansion of terrestrial operations.
The position of the White House: pressure without final decision
Donald Trump has publicly maintained that he does not plan to send large-scale troops, although he has not ruled out any option.
The White House insists that the objective is to keep all alternatives open while pressure is increased on Tehran.
The ultimatum over the Strait of Hormuz has been extended until April 6, in an attempt to force a response without immediately escalating the conflict.
Iran anticipates a harsh response
From Tehran, the authorities have interpreted these movements as a preliminary step to a ground intervention.
Iranian leaders have warned that their forces are prepared to respond and resist any incursion, with special focus on strategic positions such as Kharg island.
The Revolutionary Guard is shaping up as the main actor in an eventual prolonged defense.
Internal rejection in the United States
The possibility of deploying troops in Iran finds significant opposition within the United States.
According to recent surveys, a clear majority of the population rejects the use of ground forces in the conflict. Support for air operations is more divided, but is also not a majority.
In the political sphere, the division is evident, even within the Republican Party.