An American source told the Post that “the strikes are continuing as planned," and Israeli officials also said there has been no change in coordination with the US military or in operational plans.
The chances of an agreement between the United States and Iran are “very small,” Israeli officials told The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday. The gap stems not only from US demands - including restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program, ballistic missiles, and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz - but also from Iranian demands. “At the moment, the Iranians are insisting on American compensation, as well as guarantees from the administration that there will be no further action against Iran as part of any agreement,” two sources involved in mediation efforts told the Post.
Despite US President Donald Trump’s statements about progress in talks, a source familiar with the details said the deployment of American forces in the Middle East is continuing as usual. The additional forces include US Marines intended to enable a potential takeover of Iran’s Kharg oil island in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump has not yet decided whether to launch a ground operation to seize the island, which could help ensure freedom of navigation. The decision depends in part on ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
On Sunday, the Post reported that senior American officials told Israeli counterparts that “there will probably be no choice but to carry out a ground operation on Kharg Island.” The amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli and the amphibious transport dock USS New Orleans, carrying about 2,500 Marines, are expected to arrive in the region this weekend as part of the first Marine reinforcement in the Middle East.
In addition, an Amphibious Ready Group led by the assault ship USS Boxer is also on its way to the US Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility, which includes Iran. The group includes the escort ships Portland and Comstock and carries additional aircraft, including F-35B stealth fighter jets, Super Cobra attack helicopters, and MV-22 Osprey aircraft, along with approximately 4,500 sailors and Marines. The US Army is also considering deploying the 82nd Airborne Division to the region. The division can deploy about 3,000 troops anywhere in the world within 18 hours, and did so within 10 hours in 2020. (Read More)
