According to Axios, U.S. Pentagon officials presented four scenarios, including an invasion of Kharg Island and the capture of strategic islands near the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. military also prepared a ground operation plan to secure highly enriched uranium for nuclear facilities in Iran.
Iran’s parliament speaker has warned that hostile forces will launch “merciless attacks” on regional infrastructure if they attempt to seize Iranian-controlled islands.
According to information obtained by Axios, the Pentagon is discussing four major military options that officials are calling the “final blow.”
1. Occupation or blockade of Kharg Island: This is a plan to completely cut off the regime’s economic lifeline by seizing Kharg Island, a key hub for Iranian oil exports.
2. Deployment of ground forces: This is the first operation to directly deploy US ground forces into mainland Iran since the outbreak of this conflict.
3. Precise strike and security of nuclear facilities: Includes special operations to secure or destroy approximately 450 kg of highly enriched uranium stockpiles stored in underground facilities located deep inside Iran.
4. Massive bombing campaign: A wide-ranging air strike plan to completely destroy Iran’s remaining military infrastructure.
Main background (Driving the news)
President Donald Trump on Thursday warned Tehran authorities on his Truth Social page to “get serious” about negotiations “before it’s too late.” President Trump claimed that Iran is already “militarily obliterated” and is now “”begging”” for an agreement.
““They (the Iranian negotiating team) are very strange,” he said in the post. “They are already in a state of military inability to recover, but on the outside they only say that they are ‘reviewing’ our proposal,” he said. “”It would be better to get serious soon. “Once the situation explodes, there is no turning back, and it will be a very disastrous outcome,” he added.
Between the lines
Some U.S. government officials believe that an overwhelming show of force will provide the greatest leverage in peace negotiations. On the other hand, others warn that such attacks could easily lead to a long and bloody occupation war.
The state of play
Indirect talks in Oman have yet to produce a breakthrough. The United States has set an ultimatum deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime route. White House press secretary Caroline Levitt said the president was “ready to strike harder than ever” and emphasized that responsibility for any future violence lies with the Iranian regime, which rejects the deal.
https://www.axios.com/2026/03/26/iran-invasion-plans-kharg-island-trump