DONALD Trump is plotting a potential ground assault to topple Iran’s tyrannical mullahs, as US-Israeli forces blitzed a regime nuclear site.

chiefs have drawn up plans to deploy troops to the rogue state in an effort to eliminate its nuclear capabilities and , Iran’s key oil terminal in the Gulf.

FILES-ROMANIA-US-ISRAEL-IRAN-WARUnited States infantry are gathering near IranCredit: Getty FILES-ROMANIA-US-ISRAEL-IRAN-WARWashington has deployed 2,500 soldiers to the regionCredit: AFP DC: President Trump and Sec Rubio hold a White House departure, Washington, USA - 20 Mar 2026Donald Trump is weighing up a ground invasion to seize Kharg islandCredit: Shutterstock Editorial Illustration of a map of the Persian Gulf region highlighting Kharg Island and the Strait of Hormuz.

And bombs rained down on ‘s Natanz uranium-enrichment facility this morning, one of the main targets during the 12-day war between and Iran in June.

Trump has been weighing up ground attack plans, but has also said he is considering “winding down” the Middle East campaign.

The US president has been cagey about the use of infantry in recent days, as 2,500 marines make their way to the war zone.

Analysts warned putting boots on the ground on Kharg island – 15 miles off the Iranian coast – would be a huge gamble risking massive casualties.

“No, I’m not putting troops anywhere,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday.

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But he was quick to add: “If I were, I certainly wouldn’t tell you.”

press secretary said in a statement: “It’s the job of the Pentagon to make preparations in order to give the Commander in Chief maximum optionality.

“It does not mean the President has made a decision.”

A source with knowledge of White House thinking told Axios: “We need about a month to weaken the Iranians more with strikes, take the island and then get them by the balls and use it for negotiations.”

Three Marine units are on their way to the region but reinforcements will be needed if Trump green lights the plan.

The source added: “He wants Hormuz open. If he has to take Kharg Island to make it happen, that’s going to happen. If he decides to have a coastal invasion, that’s going to happen.

“But that decision hasn’t been made.

“We’ve always had boots on the ground in conflicts under every president, including Trump.”

The Sun for the sign off on the “dangerous” mission – and cut off the murderous regime’s economic jugular once and for all.

A satellite image shows an oil terminal, in Kharg IslandA satellite image shows oil terminals at Kharg IslandCredit: Reuters Thermal image of explosions on what appears to be a pipeline.Trump last week hit military targets on the islandCredit: Donald Trump via Truth Social

Meanwhile, the mad mullahs continue to by attacking their neighbours’ plants.

Iran has blitzed ships passing through the vital Strait of Hormuz – through which 20% of the world’s passes – prompting hurried plans to reopen the waterway through force.

The regime has maintained an effective blockade over it for weeks now causing fuel prices to soar and threatening an crisis in the UK.

Brent crude oil, the global benchmark, has risen to $112 (£84) a barrel, up from $73 (£55) on the eve of the conflict.

finally acceded to US requests to use the Diego Garcia military base in the Indian Ocean on Friday.

Trump in granting access, adding “this has never happened before”.

Diego Garcia was then after the regime issued a chilling warning that “British lives are at risk”.

Neither Iranian missile hit the base, which is around 2,500 miles from its territory, but the attack suggests that they have a longer range than previously thought.

One of the rockets was targeted by an interceptor fired from an American warship while the other failed in flight, US sources told the Wall Street Journal .

Downing Street blasted the “reckless” attack, accusing Iran of “lashing out across the region and holding to ransom the Strait of Hormuz”.

NINTCHDBPICT001068152938A huge explosion as US forces destroy Iranian naval targets in and near the Strait of HormuzCredit: X Collage of a map of the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding countries, an aerial photo of an oil tanker, and key trade statistics.