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 Isla

2026-03-24

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.