Insiders: The U.S. is increasing troops in the Middle East to "open up" the Strait of Hormuz or seize islands

According to a report by CCTV cited by Jinshi, on March 20 local time, U.S. officials stated that the U.S. military is deploying three warships and approximately 2,500 Marines to the Middle East. Previously, informed sources indicated that the troop increase would provide U.S. President Trump with more military options, including launching operations to "clear" the Strait of Hormuz, which would require deploying air and naval forces to the Iranian coastline.

According to informed sources, the Trump administration is also considering deploying ground troops to Khark Island, the "lifeline" of Iranian oil exports. This plan aims to seize the island as leverage to force Iran to restore passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Khark Island is located in the northwestern part of the Persian Gulf, more than 20 kilometers from the Iranian coast, and is Iran's largest crude oil export base, with about 90% of Iran's oil exported from here.