Report: Washington Considers Deploying Airborne Troops for Possible Intervention in Iran

SadaNews - U.S. defense officials stated that senior military leaders are considering the possibility of deploying a combat brigade from the 82nd Airborne Division to support potential military operations in Iran.

The officials mentioned to The New York Times that the proposal includes sending a brigade from the "Immediate Response Force" consisting of about 3,000 soldiers, along with elements from the division's command staff to assist in planning and coordinating missions in a battlefield described as "increasingly complex."

The officials characterized these movements as "precautionary planning," emphasizing that the Pentagon or U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has not issued any operational orders yet. The Central Command declined to comment on the news.

The proposed plans indicate the potential use of these forces to capture Kharg Island, which serves as the main artery for Iranian oil exports.

Another option highlights assigning about 2,500 soldiers from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, currently en route to the region, to carry out the mission if directives are issued by the president.

Reports cited former military leaders stating that damage to the airfield on Kharg Island from recent American strikes may prioritize Marine forces, due to their combat engineers' ability to quickly repair airport infrastructure, paving the way later for C-130 cargo planes to transport supplies and reinforcements.

Planners are weighing the rapid deployment of the 82nd Airborne Paratroopers, who can arrive within 18 hours, against their lack of heavy equipment and armored vehicles needed to fend off any Iranian counterattack, compared to the Marine forces which have engineering capabilities but lack the "sustainability depth" provided by the Army forces.