Informed Sources: US Troop Buildup in Middle East Aims to "Clear" Strait of Hormuz or Seize Island

Odaily News On March 20 local time, US officials stated that the US military is deploying an additional 3 warships and approximately 2,500 Marines to the Middle East. Previously, informed US sources indicated that the troop increase would provide President Trump with more military options, including launching an operation to "clear" the Strait of Hormuz, which would require deploying air and naval forces to the Iranian coastline. According to informed sources, the Trump administration is also considering deploying ground forces to Kharg Island, the "lifeline" of Iran's oil exports. This plan aims to seize the island as leverage to pressure Iran into reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Kharg Island is located in the northwest Persian Gulf, over 20 kilometers from the Iranian coast, and serves as Iran's largest crude oil export base, handling approximately 90% of Iran's oil exports. (CCTV)