US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has hinted that American troops could be deployed to Iran's Kharg Island, a crucial oil export hub in the Persian Gulf.
The remarks came as the US ramps up military operations against Iran following weeks of strikes and retaliatory attacks.
Bessent's comments, made in an interview, did not confirm any decision but indicated that ground deployment remains a possibility under consideration.
President Donald Trump had earlier announced a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran, asking to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and threatening to destroy Tehran's power plants if it did nothing.
Kharg Island, located 16 miles from the Iranian city of Bushehr, is Iran's primary oil export hub, handling a significant share of the country's crude shipments.
Any attempt to physically take Kharg Island would likely be met with resistance from Iran, which relies heavily on fossil fuel revenue.
