Trump hints at wind down of war as US prepares to send more troops to Gulf
Trump hints at wind down of war as US prepares to send more troops to Gulf
President Donald Trump indicated he might be contemplating a reduction in military operations across the Middle East, despite reports suggesting the US is deploying three additional amphibious assault ships and approximately 2,500 more Marines to the area.
The remarks came on Friday after Iran issued a warning to target global tourist attractions, alongside continued airstrikes and missile strikes that have been intensifying across the region. The US is evaluating strategies to seize or block Iran’s key Kharg Island, a vital location near the Hormuz Strait, to compel Tehran into reopening the waterway.
On Friday, Trump presented conflicting statements regarding the potential end of the conflict. Initially, he dismissed the possibility of a ceasefire with Iran, asserting that the US maintains a strategic advantage. “I don’t want to do a ceasefire. You know you don’t do a ceasefire when you’re literally obliterating the other side,” he told journalists at the White House.
“We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East with respect to the Terrorist Regime of Iran,” he wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Occupying the island could pose significant risks, exposing American troops to Iranian drone and rocket fire in a confined geographical area. Just 8 square miles in size, Kharg Island is situated 16 miles from the Iranian city of Bushehr and serves as a critical hub for exporting 90% of Iran’s oil. Its strategic value makes it a focal point for Washington’s efforts to disrupt Tehran’s economic leverage.
Despite earlier claims of avoiding ground troops, the Trump administration now appears to be prioritizing physical presence in the region. The Pentagon has dispatched the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, a rapid-response contingent of around 2,200 Marines, to the Middle East. However, the exact mission remains undisclosed, with officials noting the USS Boxer’s departure was accelerated by three weeks.
Analysts highlight the contradictions in administration statements, as plans shift daily. A White House official noted: “As President Trump said, he has no plans to send troops anywhere – but he wisely does not broadcast his military strategy to the media, and he retains all options as commander-in-chief. The United States military can take out Kharg Island at any time.”
Violence escalated on Friday, with an Iranian drone strike hitting a Kuwait refinery and the US and Israel targeting 16 cargo vessels in Gulf ports. “Following the American-Zionist air attack, at least 16 cargo vessels belonging to citizens of the towns of Bandar Lengeh and Bandar Kong were completely burned in the fire,” a local official from southern Hormozgan province stated, according to Tasnim news agency.
Heavy explosions also shook Dubai as air defenses intercepted incoming rockets during Eid al-Fitr celebrations. Separately, Israel launched strikes against Syrian government positions, just days after US officials suggested using Syrian forces to neutralize Hezbollah in eastern Lebanon. Rising tensions continue to drive oil and gas prices higher, with warnings of further economic disruptions looming.
