US media reports that the US military may seize islands to force Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz.

On March 19th, citing Xinhua News Agency, it was reported that the Wall Street Journal, citing sources, stated that the United States is deploying additional troops to the Middle East and may seize Iran's key oil export hub to force Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz. The report indicated that approximately 2,200 US Marine Corps Expeditionary Force personnel are en route from Japan to the Middle East aboard an amphibious assault ship, expected to arrive in about a week. The US may use this force to occupy Kharg Island as leverage to compel Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz. Former US Central Command Commander Frank McKenzie commented, "(The US military) could destroy its (Kharg Island's) oil infrastructure, which would cause irreparable damage to Iran and the global economy. Or it could occupy it as a bargaining chip."