U.S. military officials are considering deploying a brigade from the 82nd
Airborne Division’s Immediate Response Force, about 3,000 troops, to support
potential operations in Iran, though no orders have been issued. Options include
seizing Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export hub, possibly alongside 2,500
Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. Officials described the moves
as contingency planning, with airborne forces offering rapid deployment but
limited heavy equipment, while Marines could secure and repair infrastructure.