US Eyes Wider Military Campaign Against Iran: Troops, Oil Hub, and Nuclear Site Among Targets
The United States is considering an expanded military campaign against Iran, with options including ground troop deployments to strategic islands near the Strait of Hormuz and strikes on a key nuclear-linked facility, US officials have said.
According to officials speaking to The Wall Street Journal, among the proposals under discussion is an operation to seize Kharg Island, Iran's main oil export terminal. Another option involves bombing a heavily fortified underground complex known as Pickaxe Mountain, believed to be linked to Iran's nuclear programme. Additional attacks on Iran's energy infrastructure are also being considered.
President Donald Trump convened a high-level meeting in the White House Situation Room on Tuesday night, where senior officials reviewed several military options. Participants included Vice President JD Vance, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine.
The US military carried out two new waves of airstrikes on Wednesday, stating they aimed to degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking at an industry event, Trump hinted at continued military action, saying, 'We'll find out whether or not we settle with them or we just finish it off.'
The US has also tightened a naval blockade of Iranian ports. On Wednesday, the military reported that it stopped several vessels from reaching Iran's coastline. In one incident, US forces fired Hellfire missiles at the smokestack of a Curacao-flagged ship that ignored warnings while attempting to sail toward Kharg Island. The military said the ship was disabled after refusing to turn back.
Officials emphasise that Trump has not made a final decision and still prefers a diplomatic resolution if possible. However, negotiations have stalled after Iran rejected Trump's demand to give up its nuclear stockpile, despite weeks of military pressure and an earlier interim agreement that would have allowed Tehran to resume large-scale oil exports.
The deadlock has pushed the administration to consider tougher military options, either to force Iran back to talks or to stop attacks on commercial shipping. Some officials note Trump's past reluctance to deploy ground troops, but the new plans, if approved, would significantly escalate US involvement in the nearly five-month-old conflict.
Trump has begun discussing potential targets publicly. In an interview with radio host Hugh Hewitt, he said, 'We're going to take out Pickaxe Mountain.' Speaking to Fox News, he described seizing Kharg Island as not his preferred option but not ruled out, adding, 'If we degrade them far enough and deep enough back, I would do that.' Officials caution that such remarks could also be part of a strategy to pressure Iran into returning to negotiations.
Wednesday marked the fifth consecutive day of US strikes after a ceasefire collapsed when Iran resumed attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The US responded by restoring its blockade and authorising fresh military action. Vice President Vance said the objective was not 'endless bombing' but using military force as one tool to increase pressure on Tehran.
Pickaxe Mountain is believed to house an extensive underground tunnel network, carved deep into the mountain, which has not yet been targeted by US forces. Its destruction would aim to cripple Iran's nuclear capabilities.
