Trump Administration Reviews Ground Force Operations Against Iran Amid Five-Month Conflict

According to Axios, on July 15, Trump's administration received a briefing on potential ground force operations as one option to resolve the five-month conflict with Iran. The Wall Street Journal reported that the reviewed plans include intensified airstrikes, bombing underground nuclear facilities, and deploying ground forces to occupy islands near the Strait of Hormuz.

Harq Island, which handles 90% of Iran's crude oil exports, is considered a strategic target. Trump has previously hinted at the possibility of occupying the island and reiterated openness to the option during a July 14 Fox News interview without ruling it out entirely.