US media reports that the US military may seize islands to force Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz.

PANews reported on March 19th, citing Xinhua News Agency, that the Wall Street Journal, citing sources, reported that the United States is deploying additional troops to the Middle East and may seize Iran's key oil export hub in order to force Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz. The report stated that approximately 2,200 US Marine Corps Expeditionary Force personnel are en route from Japan to the Middle East aboard an amphibious assault ship, expected to arrive in about a week. The US may use this force to occupy Kharg Island as leverage to force Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz. Former US Central Command Commander Frank McKenzie said, "(The US military) could destroy its (Kharg Island's) oil infrastructure, which would cause irreparable damage to Iran and the global economy. Or it could occupy it as a bargaining chip."