US Mulls Deploying Thousands of Troops in Iran in Next Phase of War

The Donald Trump administration is weighing deploying thousands of American troops to bolster its war against Iran in what could be a new phase of the conflict.

Citing sources familiar with the development, including US officials, Reuters reports that the deployment would help secure safe passage for oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, a mission that would be accomplished primarily through air and naval forces.

Iranian navy ships and navy submarines have been among the primary targets of US strikes.

However, securing the Strait could also mean deploying US troops to Iran’s shoreline and ground forces to the country’s Kharg Island, the hub for 90 percent of Iran’s oil exports, the sources were quoted to have said.

One of the officials said such an operation would be very risky as Iran has the ability to reach the island with missiles and drones.

At least 13 US troops have been killed and about 200 wounded since the war began on February 28.

The sources added that Trump administration officials have also discussed the possibility of deploying US forces to secure Iran’s stocks of highly ​enriched uranium.

Trump has said his goals go beyond degrading Iran’s military capabilities and could include securing safe passage through the Strait and preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.

There has been little interest from allies to join the conflict.

Earlier this month, a Marist poll in partnership with NPR and PBS News found that 56 percent of Americans oppose US military action in Iran, while a Quinnipiac survey around the same time showed 53 percent oppose the strikes and roughly 40 percent support them.

A separate Reuters/Ipsos poll found that only 27 percent of respondents approved of the strikes.

When the war began, Trump said he envisaged that it would last four to five weeks, but noted that it could go “far longer”.

The conflict has only just entered its third week.