June 11, 2026
Deployment adds to 2,500 Marines as options include securing oil routes and seizing Kharg Island
The island handles 90% of Iran's oil exports and seizing it would give the United States the ability to severely disrupt Iran's energy trade
Any ground troop move is likely to carry political risks for Trump
The official reiterates Iran's threat that any foreign attack on Kharg island would lead to "a greater humiliation than the Strait of Hormuz"
US, Iran said to reject talk of diplomatic solution
The war has killed over 2,000 people and triggered the biggest oil supply disruption
The island serves as the export terminal for 90 percent of Iran's oil shipments
