Hinting that the conflict in the Middle East could escalate, US President Donald Trump is reportedly considering expanding American military operations targeting Iran. This could include even sending ground forces to seize Iranian islands near the Strait of Hormuz.
The Trump administration could also consider stepping up airstrikes and bombing a fortified site that is used for covert nuclear work, according to a report that appeared in the Wall Street Journal quoting US officials.
This comes a day after reports emerged that President Trump held a Situation Room meeting on Tuesday to discuss a massive offensive in Iran, suggesting his willingness to escalate the war to cause enough damage to force the Iranian regime to open the Strait of Hormuz. The meetings include consultations involving senior leaders, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine.
Trump has been provided alternatives that included sending US soldiers to occupy strategic territory along the strait, such as Kharg Island, alongside options to target Pickaxe Mountain and hit broader Iranian energy infrastructure, according to the WSJ report. This is despite Trump giving public statements hinting that the talks with Iran could continue despite the attacks.
The US President has also warned that he could attack Pickaxe Mountain, which houses a fortified buried nuclear facility. "We're going to take out Pickaxe Mountain. Tell the Iranians to be ready," Trump said in a July 13 interview on the Hugh Hewitt Show.
However, Trump is still hesitant to deploy boots on the ground and has continuously shown disinterest in full-scale territorial seizures.
The military options come on the heels of a fifth consecutive day of US military strikes against Iran, triggered when a temporary ceasefire collapsed after Iranian forces launched attacks on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, prompting Washington to reimpose its naval blockade.
On Tuesday, Trump warned that US strikes on Iran will increase and target key infrastructure unless the Iranians engage in serious negotiations for a deal.
Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Trump stated, "We're going to hit them very hard tonight, we're going to hit them very hard tomorrow night, we're going to hit them very hard the night after, and then next week it gets really bad for them because next week comes the power plants, next week comes the bridges."
