Ground operations

The Washington Post reported the Pentagon is preparing for weeks of limited ground operations in Iran, potentially including raids on Kharg Island and coastal zones near the Strait of Hormuz. The plans involve special operations forces and conventional infantry. It is not a full invasion, but it is ground combat on Iranian soil, exposing US troops to drones, missiles, ground fire and improvised explosives.

CENTCOM confirmed that 3,500 additional soldiers arrived in the region on March 27 aboard the USS Tripoli, along with transport aircraft, strike fighters and amphibious assault assets. They join the 3,000 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne approved last week, and the 2,200 Marines on the USS Boxer sailing toward the Gulf. The force buildup is consistent with an amphibious operation.

Iran warned that if any island or territory is attacked, it will open a new front at Bab al-Mandeb. The IRGC naval commander said that as soon as the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group comes within firing range, they will "avenge the blood of the martyrs" of the frigate Dena, sunk by the US on March 4. Iran's parliament speaker accused Washington of planning a ground invasion while pretending to negotiate. Thirty days of air war. What comes next may be qualitatively different.