Iran Conflict — 2026-03-22

Pentagon Prepares Ground Force Options Including Kharg Island Seizure; 82nd Airborne and Three Marine Units Deploying

Pentagon has made detailed preparations for deploying US ground forces into Iran, with three Marine expeditionary units and elements of the 82nd Airborne Division moving to the region. Options under consideration include seizing Kharg Island (which processes 90% of Iran's crude exports), securing Strait of Hormuz chokepoints, and retrieving enriched uranium. Trump has denied plans publicly but told reporters he 'certainly wouldn't tell you.' Over 50,000 US troops are already in the region. Farsi-language analysis frames this as Trump's most consequential decision of the war, with key objectives still unmet despite military achievements.

Analysis
The 1315 digest noted Kharg Island was spared in the March 13 Air Force bombing raid despite 90+ military targets hit nearby. Deliberate infrastructure preservation suggests seizure planning was already underway, with intact oil facilities as the leverage mechanism.

3 sources

Inside Trump's most difficult war decision yet: whether to put boots on the ground in Iran - CNN
Trump's decision-making on Iran ground invasion: have war objectives been met? - Euronews (Farsi)
Pentagon Prepares Ground Troop Deployment Into Iran - Defence Security Asia