Washington: US President Donald Trump has announced that attacks on Iran will be halted for another 10 days. However, reports say the US is simultaneously moving thousands of troops toward Iran, raising speculation about potential ground operations.
Iran, aware of what it believes could be Washington’s next steps, has reportedly turned Kharg Island into a fortified zone. The island has been ringed with landmines, with additional troops and air-defence missiles deployed.
Iran has also issued a warning that any violation of its boundaries would be met with sustained attacks on the infrastructure of the country involved in the region.
According to an Axios report citing conversations with US officials, four possible conflict scenarios are being discussed: seizing Kharg Island, capturing Larak Island to influence control over the Strait of Hormuz, taking Abu Musa and two nearby small islands at the strait’s entrance, and infiltrating Iran to secure nuclear materials at nuclear facilities.
