US Plans Targeted Ground Operations In Iran, Eyes Raids Near Hormuz, Capturing Kharg Island

Last Updated:March 29, 2026, 11:22 IST

The Pentagon is preparing contingency plans for limited ground operations in Iran, including possible raids near the Strait of Hormuz and the capture of Kharg Island.

The United States is preparing contingency plans for targeted ground operations in Iran, including potential raids near the Strait of Hormuz and the possible seizure of Kharg Island, according to a report by The Washington Post.

The developments signal a potentially dangerous new phase of the war, with US military planners exploring limited but high-impact missions aimed at weakening Iran’s strategic leverage over global energy routes.

The report mentioned that the Pentagon is drawing up plans that stop short of a full-scale invasion but may involve Special Operations forces and conventional infantry units conducting swift raids on Iranian military infrastructure.

The proposed operations come amid widening regional escalation, as Iran launched missile and drone attacks on industrial facilities in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, while Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis entered the conflict.

WHY STRAIT OF HORMUZ AND KHARG ISLAND MATTER

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical oil transit chokepoints, carrying a significant share of global crude supplies.

Any disruption to the waterway has immediate implications for energy markets and global trade flows.

According to the report, US officials are examining options to neutralise Iranian weapons systems positioned along the coast near the Strait, which could threaten commercial and military shipping.

Kharg Island, located off Iran’s southern coast, is considered Tehran’s most important oil export hub, handling the majority of the country’s crude shipments.

Analysts were quoted as saying that capturing or disabling infrastructure on the island could severely impact Iran’s economy and provide Washington with leverage in negotiations.

Military experts cited in Reuters reports said seizing Kharg Island could give the US a major strategic advantage, though the confined geography of the island makes it vulnerable to drone and missile retaliation from Iranian forces.

LIMITED GROUND OPS, NOT FULL-SCALE INVASION

Officials quoted by The Washington Post said any ground action would likely involve agile missions conducted by Special Operations units, rather than a prolonged occupation of territory.

The objective would be to destroy Iranian weapons platforms capable of targeting ships moving through the Strait of Hormuz, thereby restoring maritime stability without committing to a large-scale war.

The US has already moved significant military assets closer to the region, including Marine expeditionary units capable of rapid deployment and amphibious operations.

Despite preparations, Donald Trump has not approved any ground deployment so far.

The White House has maintained that military planning is intended to provide strategic flexibility rather than signal imminent escalation.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also indicated that Washington believes its objectives can be achieved without committing large numbers of troops on the ground.

REGIONAL WAR SPREADS BEYOND IRAN

The conflict has expanded beyond Iran’s borders, increasing fears of a prolonged regional confrontation.

According to AFP, Iranian missile and drone strikes targeted aluminium production facilities in Bahrain and the UAE, injuring workers and damaging infrastructure linked to global supply chains.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have also joined the conflict, launching missile and drone attacks targeting Israeli positions, raising concerns about disruptions to Red Sea shipping routes.

Saudi Arabia has already rerouted some oil exports to avoid the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the growing economic impact of the conflict.

The continued closure or disruption of Hormuz could trigger volatility in global energy markets, as the waterway remains one of the most heavily used oil shipping corridors in the world.

KHARG ISLAND AS STRATEGIC BARGAINING CHIP

Experts cited in multiple reports suggest capturing Kharg Island could give the US a key bargaining tool in any future negotiations with Tehran.

The island serves as a major oil storage and export terminal, with infrastructure capable of handling large volumes of crude shipments.

However, analysts warn that holding territory so close to the Iranian mainland would expose US forces to sustained drone, missile and artillery attacks.

Military planners are therefore believed to be focusing on short-duration raids rather than long-term occupation.

“This is not last-minute planning," one official told The Washington Post, indicating that operational scenarios have already been extensively war-gamed.

DIPLOMACY CONTINUES EVEN AS MILITARY OPTIONS EXPAND

Even as military planning advances, diplomatic efforts are underway to reduce tensions.

Pakistan is hosting talks involving Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt aimed at exploring mediation channels between Washington and Tehran.

Iranian officials have acknowledged mediation efforts, suggesting negotiations could still shape the trajectory of the conflict.

However, with continued strikes across the region and strategic assets like the Strait of Hormuz under threat, the possibility of US ground raids targeting coastal defence systems and energy infrastructure remains a central concern in the evolving conflict.

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