Thousands of soldiers from the US Army’s 82nd Airborne Division have begun arriving in the Middle East as President Donald Trump weighs his next moves in the war against Iran, two US officials told Reuters, with military planners drawing up options that could include seizing Iran’s main oil export hub.
The paratroopers, based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, join a growing American military build-up that already includes some 2,500 Marines who arrived over the weekend, alongside additional sailors and Special Operations forces deployed in recent weeks. The latest contingent includes elements of the 82nd Airborne Division headquarters, logistics and support units, and one brigade combat team.
The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, did not disclose specific deployment locations. No decision has been made to send troops into Iran, one source said, but the reinforcements are intended to build capacity for potential future operations across the region.
Options on the table
Military planners have discussed several possible uses for the additional forces. Among them is an attempt to seize Kharg Island, the hub for 90% of Iran’s oil exports — a highly risky operation given Iran’s ability to target the island with missiles and drones. Separate internal discussions have covered deploying ground forces inside Iran to extract highly enriched uranium from deep underground facilities, a mission that could require US troops to operate inside the country for extended periods.
A third option involves positioning troops along Iran’s shoreline to help secure safe passage for oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, a mission that would rely primarily on air and naval power but could nonetheless require a ground presence.
Trump said on Monday the US was in talks with what he described as a “more reasonable regime” in Tehran, while repeating his warning that Iran must open the strait or face strikes on its oil wells and power plants.
Any ground deployment — even a limited one — carries significant political risk for Trump, given low domestic public support for the Iran campaign and his own pre-election pledges to keep the US out of new Middle East conflicts.
Since operations began on 28 February, the US has struck more than 11,000 targets under what it has designated Operation Epic Fury. More than 300 US troops have been wounded and 13 service members killed.
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