Indeed, it's not Haghel Island! The U.S. military's ground offensive target has been locked in—2,200 Marines are already on standby!

According to recent disclosures by media outlets including Axios and The Wall Street Journal, the Pentagon has shifted its military options against Iran from large-scale air strikes to limited ground operations, with the primary focus now set on Abu Musa Island—a strategically vital location at the entrance of the Strait of Hormuz—rather than the previously widely speculated "oil heart" of Tehran, Khark Island.

Currently, the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, carrying approximately 2,200 Marines, is speeding toward the Middle East and is expected to arrive in the combat zone within days. A seizure operation targeting this key island appears to be imminent.

To execute this mission, the U.S. military is undertaking massive troop movements. In addition to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (around 2,200 personnel) rushed from Japan, the Pentagon is also considering drawing about 3,000 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division as follow-up support forces. So far, nearly 10,000 troops have been assembled for this island capture plan, demonstrating a clear determination to launch a limited-scale ground campaign.

So why Abu Musa Island?

As I see it, compared to Khark Island, choosing Abu Musa reflects the U.S. military’s tactical calculation of "controllable risk and clear gains." Controlling this island would allow the U.S. to effectively monitor and intercept Iranian speedboats entering and exiting the Strait of Hormuz, significantly enhancing control over the strait’s maritime routes—and directly addressing the embarrassing moment when the strait was blocked.

Moreover, Abu Musa Island is a disputed territory, with the UAE having claimed sovereignty over it. If the U.S. acts under the pretext of "helping an ally reclaim its sovereignty," it could pressure Tehran into negotiations while also rallying other Middle Eastern nations around itself. But even if they seize it—what then? It’ll still be relentlessly pounded by missiles. In the end, won’t they just have to retreat in disgrace?

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1860781084852236/

Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author