By Pishtaz | 2026-04-17

A potential US decision to launch ground operations against the Islamic Republic would mark one of the most consequential military actions in the region.

Understanding how such a campaign might unfold is essential for Middle Eastern audiences as they watch rising tensions and expanding US deployments.

Elite US special operations forces would lead the initial phase of any land campaign by shaping the battlefield through precision raids and disruption operations.

Retired General Joseph Votel, former commander of US Central Command, noted that Iran's terrain and population density require highly trained units.

These units must also be capable of rapid movement and sustained operations over long distances.

"Ground troops might be used for limited high-value raids to get control of something," he said, noting that forces could also seize key islands or conduct intelligence missions to support maritime interdiction.

According to open-source analyses, the United States has assembled its largest regional force posture since 2025, including carrier strike groups, long-range bombers and missile defenses.

These deployments suggest preparations for multi-domain operations designed to suppress the Islamic Republic's missile and drone networks before ground forces advance.

Special operations units would likely target strategic islands such as Qeshm and Larak. General Votel identified these locations as hubs for maritime and weapons activity.

These operations would aim to open the Strait of Hormuz and disrupt the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Their missions would support broader joint operations, including air and naval strikes that have already proven effective in degrading the regime's launch capacity during conflicts.

In any scenario, US planners would prioritize precision, force protection and rapid dominance, aiming to neutralize threats while minimizing regional instability.