Jerusalem Post: Washington is studying the option of a ground operation to take control of Iran's Khark

American officials have informed senior counterparts in Israel and other countries in recent days that there may be no option but for the United States to launch a ground military operation to seize the Iranian Khark Island, according to two well-placed sources who spoke to the Israeli Jerusalem Post.

“American officials have informed senior counterparts in Israel and other countries in recent days that there may be no option but for the United States to launch a ground military operation to seize the Iranian Khark Island, according to two well-placed sources who spoke to the Israeli Jerusalem Post”

Al-Jazeera Net

According to the newspaper, the U.S. administration has in recent days begun discussions about the possibility of seizing the island to compel Iran to stop obstructing ships' movement through the Strait of Hormuz.

Al-Jazeera Net

An American official told the newspaper that 'the U.S. military hastened the deployment of thousands of Marines and Navy personnel to the Middle East'.

This deployment includes the amphibious ready group 'USS Boxer', which comprises the amphibious assault ship 'USS Boxer' together with the amphibious transport ships 'USS Portland' and 'USS Comstock'.

Al-Jazeera Net

These three ships carry about 4,500 Marines, in addition to other combat elements.

About 10 days ago, the United States carried out strikes targeting military sites on Khark Island, followed by a statement from U.S. President Donald Trump in which he said 'We destroyed all the military targets on the island', and that he decided not to completely dismantle the island's oil infrastructure, but warned that 'If Iran obstructs movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will reassess'.

“American officials have informed senior counterparts in Israel and other countries in recent days that there may be no option but for the United States to launch a ground military operation to seize the Iranian Khark Island, according to two well-placed sources who spoke to the Israeli Jerusalem Post”

Al-Jazeera Net

In a related development, Trump warned Iran on Saturday that if the blockade of the strait is not lifted within 48 hours, Iranian power plants will be targeted.

Khark Island lies in the Persian Gulf, and is Iran's main center for oil exports, with around 90% of its crude oil exported to China.

Al-Jazeera Net

According to the Israeli newspaper, given Iran's defiant response to the president's warnings, it is unlikely that the naval blockade will end voluntarily, reinforcing the hypothesis of resorting to military action to ensure freedom of navigation in the strait.

Since February 28, Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz and taken control of it.

Since that date, Israel and the United States have continued to launch attacks on Iran, while Tehran responds by launching missiles and drones toward Israel, in addition to targeting what it calls American interests in the region.