WSJ: Trump Plans to Occupy Iranian Islands in the Strait of Hormuz

The Wall Street Journal cited sources saying that the U.S. may use Marines to occupy one or more islands near Iran's southern coast. The report said that Trump's move aims to use the occupation of islands as a bargaining chip to pressure Tehran, or as a base to respond to attacks on commercial shipping.

The Pentagon is deploying the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit - a rapid reaction mobile unit of about 2,200 personnel. The unit has embarked on the "Leyte" amphibious assault ship and is expected to arrive in the Middle East from Japan in about a week.

The Marine Expeditionary Unit is an independent combat unit that can rely on ships as a mobile base. It includes ground combat groups equipped with armored vehicles and artillery, an aviation squadron (including MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, helicopters, and F-35B stealth fighters), command units, and a logistics battalion. Its core mission is to conduct amphibious landings by sea and air.

The Wall Street Journal pointed out that deploying this unit will provide Trump with more options to pressure Iran.

Frank McKenzie, former commander of the U.S. Central Command and a retired general, said, "90% of Iran's oil exports pass through Khark Island. You have two choices: either destroy its infrastructure, severely damaging Iran and the global economy; or occupy it as a bargaining chip."

The U.S. is also considering occupying other islands in the strait. This would allow the U.S. to intercept Iranian speedboats and shoot down missiles threatening shipping. In addition to Khark Island, Qeshm Island and Kish Island are also under consideration.

The report emphasized that deploying U.S. forces on islands (rather than on Iranian soil) allows Trump to formally fulfill his promise of "not sending ground troops to Iran."

Micro-comment

If the U.S. chooses a "island occupation without occupying land" strategy, it indicates that Trump does not want to and is unable to launch a large-scale ground war, but must contain Iran, so he has chosen this low-risk, high-deterrence special operations model.

Even if U.S. forces land on key Iranian islands, they cannot fully prevent Iran from launching fierce attacks on vessels passing through the strait. Khark Island is an island that Iran cannot afford to lose.

Original: toutiao.com/article/1860087881179420/

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