A boat in the Strait of Hormuz, off the coast of the Emirate of Ras al-Khaimah, on February 25, 2026. (Credit: Fadel Senna / AFP)
The commander of Iran’s ground forces, Mohammad Karami, stated that a ground war would be “more dangerous and costly” for the United States, as the Pentagon is developing military options for a “final blow” against Iran that may include deploying ground forces and a large-scale bombing campaign.
The Iranian commander said, according to statements reported by the Student News Network, that an American ground offensive in Iran would be “more dangerous and more costly for the enemy.” This comes as, according to two U.S. officials and two informed sources cited by Axios, four main options are being considered by President Donald Trump, involving ground offensives on strategic islands in the Strait of Hormuz.
These options include: invading or blockading Kharg Island; an operation against Larak Island, which allows Iran to strengthen its control over the Strait of Hormuz; seizing the strategic island of Abu Musa and two nearby islets, which are controlled by Tehran but claimed by the United Arab Emirates; and blocking or seizing ships exporting Iranian oil in the eastern part of the strait.
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