Item: Yesterday reports stated that a Marine Expeditionary Unit is being sent to the Iran theater. This regimental size command has over 1,000 combat troops plus support elements including combat aviation helicopters plus a dozen V-22 Osprey tiltrotor transport aircraft.

Item: Today Trump boasts that all military assets on Iran’s Kharg Island have been destroyed.

Kharg Island: An about 8 square mile island about 16 miles off the coast of Iran in the Northern Persian Gulf. While well North of the Strait of Hormuz it is Iran’s seminal oil port and storage facility responsible for processing 90% of its oil exports.

An MEU, combined with special operations forces (e.g. Navy SEALS), would be the appropriate unit to seize and secure Kharg Island. While doing so would risk boots on the ground, who would be subject to heavy Iranian drone attacks, Iran’s ability to reinforce isolated units there to prepare for such an attack is highly limited. Logistical and tactical support can come from nearby American bases in Kuwait, UAE and Saudi Arabia. Once seized Iran would lack the military capability to retake it. However, seizing and holding the island will certainly result in notable American casualties.

Trump likely believes its seizure would provide him major leverage to compel Iran’s rulers to capitulate to his demands.

Conclusion: Boots on the ground is quite clearly a risk. Doing so will produce additional American casualties and also like prolong the war because Iran will not be willing to end it until it has this critical economic asset returned.