Dow futures fall 300 points as Wall Street braces for potential U.S. ground assault on Iran and Houthi attacks that could slash oil supplies further

(Credit: Lance Cpl. Victor Gurrol—U.S. Marine Corps/Getty Images)

Investors are looking past President Donald Trump’s attempts to talk oil prices down as reports signal an increasing likelihood that U.S. ground troops will be deployed to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit has arrived in the Middle East, and the 11th MEU is en route, while thousands of paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne Division are headed there, too. Another 10,000 U.S. troops are reportedly under consideration for deployment as well.