The United States is weighing a significant expansion of military operations in the Gulf as the war with Iran intensifies, with plans under discussion to secure the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
According to a Reuters report, US officials are exploring options to ensure safe passage for oil tankers through the narrow waterway, through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes. The mission would largely rely on air and naval power, but officials have also discussed the possibility of deploying ground troops to Iran’s coastline if required. Such a move, sources quoted by Reuters say, would mark a major escalation and carry significant military and political risks.
