Pentagon Develops Four Final Blow Options Including Kharg Island Ground Invasion

The Pentagon has developed four military options for a "final blow" targeting Iran's oil and maritime infrastructure, according to Axios citing two US officials and two other sources. The four scenarios are: (1) invading or blockading Kharg Island, Iran's main oil export hub handling 90% of crude exports; (2) invading Larak Island, which hosts Iranian bunkers, attack craft, and radars that help Iran control the Strait of Hormuz; (3) seizing Abu Musa and two smaller islands at the western entrance to the strait; and (4) blocking or seizing ships exporting Iranian oil on the eastern side of the Strait of Hormuz. Separately, the military has prepared plans for ground operations deep inside Iran to secure highly enriched uranium at nuclear facilities, or alternatively large-scale air strikes to destroy them. CNN reports independently that Iran has been fortifying Kharg Island in recent weeks, moving additional MANPADS, anti-personnel mines, and anti-armor mines to the shoreline in preparation for a possible US ground assault, citing multiple people familiar with US intelligence reporting. Additional reinforcements including fighter jet squadrons, two Marine Expeditionary Units, and the 82nd Airborne command element with an infantry brigade are deploying to the region. Trump has not yet decided on any scenario but sources say he is ready to escalate if diplomatic talks fail.