Trump plots to escalate war, U.S. military prepares three options
With tensions between the U.S. and Iran reaching this level, Trump is still preparing to expand the conflict.
On the 15th, The Wall Street Journal revealed that Trump held a meeting in the White House Situation Room to discuss the current Middle East situation.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump leans toward expanding the scale of military action against Iran. The U.S. military and White House staff have submitted three potential options for consideration: deploying troops to occupy Khark Island and Iranian territory along the Strait of Hormuz, bombing Iran's "Mount Damavand" nuclear facilities, and intensifying air strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure.
Trump has not made an immediate decision, but he recently stated in an interview that he might consider launching a "decisive strike" targeting Iran's "Mount Damavand" nuclear facilities.
Additionally, according to sources within the U.S. government, Trump is not inclined to send ground forces to seize Khark Island, viewing such an operation as "not feasible," though he has not ruled out the option entirely.
Regardless of which choice Trump makes, it will mean another escalation in the situation. On the 16th, The New York Times criticized that while no one wants war to drag on indefinitely, each of Trump’s decisions on the Iran issue continues to push the U.S. further toward an "endless war." This not only fails to achieve any meaningful goal but also brings America a new headache—potential blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
The New York Times argues that Iran's ability to block the Strait of Hormuz could lead to a new scenario in which the U.S. must maintain a large military presence in the region to ensure the strait remains open. However, this contradicts Trump’s policy of withdrawing from military operations in the Middle East and reducing overseas deployments, and may even affect U.S. military positioning in the Asia-Pacific region.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1870852285324295/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.