Intelligence assessments from Persian Gulf states indicate that Iran has reinforced its southern coastline with units from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a move seen as preparation to counter any potential US ground operation. The deployments are concentrated along strategic areas of the Persian Gulf, including the Strait of Hormuz. The reported buildup comes as US naval forces increase their presence in the region. Washington has dispatched an aircraft carrier along with multiple warships and frigates, a show of force that Iranian officials and regional analysts have described as a de facto naval siege.
Late last week, US President Donald Trump confirmed the deployment of what he called an “armada” to the Middle East, saying the move was intended to deter Iran amid ongoing unrest inside the country. Iranian authorities have responded by strengthening coastal defenses and conducting military drills focused on repelling amphibious landing operations.
According to intelligence shared with several Western diplomatic missions, Iran has positioned IRGC and Basij units along its more than 2,400-kilometer coastline, with particular emphasis on key locations such as Qeshm Island and the port city of Bandar Abbas. The stated objective, according to the reports, is to prevent any U.S. ground landing on Iranian territory. (Read More)
