Trump mentions a 'ground campaign' in Iran, but offers few details

President Donald Trump has loosely raised the possibility of a ground campaign amid escalating tensions with Iran, though he remained vague on specifics. In an interview with Fox News, Trump expressed a reluctance for a ground war, stating, "I don’t want to do that." However, he added, "Sometimes you need a ground campaign, but we have other people that will do the ground campaign for us," without identifying these potential actors.

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I don’t want to do that.

Analysts have identified possible targets for such a ground campaign, including Kharg Island, Iran's primary oil export terminal, or its southern shores along the Persian Gulf. However, launching a ground invasion, whether by U.S. troops or allied forces, onto Iranian shores in sufficient numbers to sustain a presence would be an exceptionally complex and perilous undertaking. Amphibious assaults are particularly vulnerable, as defenders can concentrate their efforts on predictable landing zones, while attackers face risks from mines, obstacles, and modern weaponry.

Furthermore, the logistical challenges of supplying landed troops with essential resources like munitions, medical aid, food, and water would leave supply vessels exposed to the same threats faced by the invasion force. As U.S. Army Captain Daniel S. Hogestyn noted in Military Review, "The balance of littoral warfare has shifted strongly in favor of the defender."

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Sometimes you need a ground campaign, but we have other people that will do the ground campaign for us.

U.S. military assets in the region include the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, comprising over 2,000 troops, embarked on ships of the USS Boxer Amphibious Ready Group. These units are typically utilized for missions involving evacuations and amphibious operations, such as raids and assaults, and possess both ground and aviation combat capabilities, with some units trained for special operations. Additionally, the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division's Immediate Response Force is capable of rapid deployment within hours for missions like seizing key ports or airfields.

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The balance of littoral warfare has shifted strongly in favor of the defender.