The US military's entry into the Middle East gives President Donald Trump more military strength to implement a risky plan: Using force to reopen the Strait of Hormuz - Iran's biggest pressure point in the conflict.
The media pointed out that Mr. Trump has 2 military options to reopen the Strait of Hormuz: Occupying territory or deploying large-scale naval forces in the region.
However, experts warn that the scenario of a landing in Iran, although with certain limits, still potentially poses a high risk of casualties, thereby affecting domestic affairs in the US. For Iran, US troops setting foot on its territory is a "red line".
Mediating parties also noted that Iran has warned that it will carpet bomb its own territory to destroy any US soldiers present. Tehran also affirmed its readiness to destroy infrastructure to attack invading forces.
Kharg Island - Iran's small outpost and the country's main oil export center - is considered the clearest target. Occupying one or more small islands may be easier, but with the current force, the US military will be thinly dispersed. Then, real risks begin, because Iran can use missiles, rockets and drones to attack.
The current size of US forces is still much lower than required for a large-scale ground operation.
Mr. Trump is also considering a riskier and more complex option: Raid on Iranian territory to control the country's high-enriched uranium stockpile. Iran's uranium stockpile is believed to be located deep underground at one or more locations that were bombed last year. This task will require US special forces.
Kharg Island is located deep in the Persian Gulf, crossing the Strait of Hormuz, making logistics more difficult and increasing the risk of attack by US soldiers.
Right in the Strait of Hormuz is a chain of islands controlled by Iran, which plays a dominant role in the sea route, the largest of which is Qeshm Island. Three smaller islands including Abu Musa, Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb - currently claimed by the United Arab Emirates - form a pillar to help Iran control this area.
Even if the US deploys forces on land, the threat from Iran may not stop. To ensure safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, the US will have to escort commercial ships, clear mines and provide air support.
This task requires a large number of warships, forcing the US to rely on allies such as Britain and European countries. In particular, the US lacks minesweepers. To date, the US military has also admitted that it does not have enough resources to protect commercial ships.
This challenge is even increasing. The Houthi forces in Yemen - Iran's ally - have been fighting since March 28 when they launched missiles into Israel. The Houthi may expand attacks to ships passing through the narrow strait in the southern Red Sea, another important maritime route of the Middle East, forcing the US to simultaneously protect 2 strategic sea routes.
