A surge of elite troops. A spike in military flights. Even “surf and turf” dinners on bases. Signs are mounting that the United States could be preparing for military action near Iran — and speculation is swirling about what might come next. President Donald Trump is believed to be positioning key US military assets close to Iran as pressure grows to end the escalating conflict. Open-source tracking of troop movements and military aircraft suggests combat-capable forces are already moving into place. Among the forces reportedly preparing to deploy are a “rapid-response” marine unit trained for sea raids and airborne troops capable of seizing strategic airfields. Analysts say the composition of these forces hints at a fast, limited operation rather than a full-scale invasion. At the center of the speculation is Kharg Island — Iran’s main oil export hub. Military watchers have increasingly pointed to the strategic island as a possible target if the conflict intensifies. The idea of seizing Kharg Island has emerged as a potential endgame to the war. The conflict has already proved unpopular with many US voters and some of America’s allies. On Tuesday evening, the Wall Street Journal reported that two US officials confirmed Pentagon plans to deploy a 3,000-strong brigade from the Army’s elite 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East. A written order to deploy the unit was expected within hours. Meanwhile, US soldiers have reportedly been sending photos home showing unusually lavish meals at their bases. One widely shared image showed a “surf and turf” dinner of lobster and steak — a meal anecdotally linked in military circles to imminent deployment. Ruben Stewart, senior fellow for land warfare at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said the movements should be taken seriously. “This is not simply rhetorical: combat-capable forces are moving and can be employed quickly,” he explained. But Stewart stressed the troop numbers suggest a limited mission. A full invasion of Iran would require vastly larger forces. “The 2003 invasion of Iraq required some 160,000 troops for a country that is a quarter the size of Iran,” he said. “You are looking at a force suited to short-duration, discrete operations and not a sustained ground invasion.” Between 2,000 and 2,500 Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit have also reportedly left their base in Okinawa, Japan. They are travelling toward the Middle East aboard the USS Tripoli and other warships. These marines are trained specifically for rapid-response missions. Their skills include raids launched from boats, amphibious vehicles and helicopters. At the same time, the 82nd Airborne Division’s Immediate Readiness Force remains on constant standby. The paratroopers can deploy within 18 hours and are trained to seize airfields or reinforce key positions with little warning. Stewart said the mix of forces indicates “maximum flexibility.” Sea-based troops could strike quickly, while airborne forces could escalate operations if needed. What is missing, however, are heavy armoured units and the massive logistics systems needed for a long ground campaign. Meanwhile, flight-tracking platforms show a sharp increase in US military aircraft movements across the region. Verified records show 162 US Air Mobility Command flights linked to the Iran conflict between March 14 and March 23. That compares with 97 transport flights in the previous week. Open-source intelligence analysts have also spotted US aircraft landing at Ovda Airbase and Nevatim Airbase in Israel. Other data suggests airborne units could be building up in Jordan. Many of the flights involve the massive C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft. These planes can carry up to 102 troops or more than 170,000 pounds of cargo. But flight paths alone cannot reveal what is actually being transported. Stewart said the aircraft may simply be delivering munitions, including aerial ordnance recently approved for Israel. They could also be resupplying large missile systems like Patriot PAC-3 interceptors or delivering spare parts and other logistics. Such a surge in flights often forms an “air bridge,” a system used to sustain military capabilities during a crisis. Across the Atlantic, the United Kingdom is also preparing its response. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has offered to host a multinational security conference aimed at protecting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The meeting could take place in London or Portsmouth in the coming weeks. British defence planners are reportedly working on a coalition naval mission led by the Royal Navy and the French navy to escort ships through the vital waterway. Officials say the effort could involve crewed warships such as a Type 45 destroyer equipped with anti-missile systems. Autonomous mine-hunting boats and surveillance drones may also be used to protect merchant vessels. Despite the troop movements, the US State Department has declined to comment directly on the deployments. Trump himself has said he has no plans to put American troops on the ground in Iran. A White House official told Reuters last week that no decision had been made. But the president, they said, “keeps all options at his disposal.” The official added that Trump remains focused on the goals of Operation Epic Fury: destroying Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities, eliminating its navy, preventing regional destabilization by proxy groups and ensuring Iran never acquires nuclear weapons. Back home, many Americans are watching developments anxiously — especially families with loved ones in uniform. One viral photo of the lobster-and-steak dinner posted by a soldier’s father has racked up nearly 30 million views online. When a commenter warned that such meals often precede combat, the father replied simply: “I know all too well.” The signs the US is preparing a ground invasion of Iran
