Washington Post: US is preparing for ground attacks on Iran

The US War Department is reportedly drawing up plans for possible ground operations in Iran that would last several weeks, despite repeated claims by US President Donald Trump that Tehran has already lost the month-long war and is begging for a deal to surrender.

Any ground mission would not be a "full-scale invasion," but rather limited raids by Special Operations forces and conventional infantry troops, several US officials who spoke to the Washington Post on condition of anonymity have insisted.

Possible objectives could include occupying Kharg Island, a key Iranian oil export hub, or raiding coastal areas near the Strait of Hormuz to destroy weapons capable of targeting commercial and military vessels.

Trump has yet to approve any of the War Department's plans. White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt said it is the Pentagon's role to make preparations to provide the commander-in-chief with "maximum options."

Earlier on Saturday, U.S. Central Command said the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli had joined the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the region. The new reinforcements include about 3,500 U.S. sailors and Marines with transport and attack aircraft, as well as amphibious assault assets.

Another US amphibious readiness group – consisting of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer, the Whidbey Island-class landing ship USS Comstock and the San Antonio-class amphibious transport ship USS Portland – is also said to be moving to the region.

Meanwhile, the War Department is also deploying a third aircraft carrier group to the U.S. Central Command area of ​​responsibility to potentially join combat operations against Iran, according to CBS and CNN reports on Friday.

Two carrier strike groups — led by the USS Gerald R. Ford and the USS Abraham Lincoln — led the U.S. attack on Iran last month, until the Ford suffered a suspected “non-combat” fire on board and withdrew for repairs to Crete. It is not clear whether Bush will join them or replace Ford.

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