The US military continues to increase troops in the Middle East, experts say the cost of US ground combat against Iran may be even greater.

The United States has deployed multiple warships and a large number of combat personnel to the Middle East region, including the amphibious assault ship "USS the papacy" and the US Marine Corps 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit it carries, as well as the amphibious assault ship "USS Boxer" and the dock landing ship "USS Comstock", and the amphibious transport dock ship "USS Portland", along with approximately 2,500 Marine Corps members belonging to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Wei Dongxu, a military observer at CCTV, stated that the US military may be attempting to seize control of the Strait of Hormuz and conduct firepower strikes on Iranian nearshore and coastal targets. Iran may retaliate using mobile deployed precision firepower platforms. Although the US military may successfully control and occupy islands, long-term garrisons will face greater risks. Whether the US will launch ground operations remains uncertain, as it may incur greater costs.