Marines head to the Persian Gulf as U.S. eyes Kharg Island occupation
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Senior U.S. officials have recently told their counterparts in Israel and other countries that it looks as though there may be no choice but for the United States to launch a ground military operation to take control of Iran’s Kharg Island, according to two informed sources speaking to The Jerusalem Post.
The island is located in the Persian Gulf and serves as the primary hub for Iran’s oil exports, handling up to about 90 percent of the country’s crude that is shipped abroad, much of it bound for China. In recent days, discussions have begun within the U.S. administration about the possibility of occupying the island to force Iran to stop disrupting the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
A U.S. official confirmed that ''the American military has accelerated the deployment of thousands of Marines and Navy personnel to the Middle East.''
This deployment includes the USS Boxer amphibious readiness group, which consists of the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer—functioning as a light aircraft carrier—along with the amphibious transport docks USS Portland and USS Comstock. Together, these three ships carry approximately 4,500 Marines, in addition to other combat personnel.