Report says U.S. planning weeks of ground operations in Iran, while President Trump raises idea of taking Kharg Island; Kim Jong Un watches ground test of new missile; and Vietnam veterans welcomed home in nation’s capital.
1. The Pentagon is putting together plans for weeks of ground operations in Iran as U.S. forces amass in the region, the Washington Post reported. Citing multiple U.S. officials, the Post report suggested ground operations could involve both conventional infantry and special operations elements, but would not yet rise to the level of a full-scale invasion. Decisions on whether or not to green light operations, which would put U.S. troops at substantially more risk to Iranian threats, now rest with President Donald Trump. “It’s the job of the Pentagon to make preparations in order to give the commander in chief maximum optionality,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement provided to Military Times. “It does not mean the president has made a decision.”
2. U.S. President Donald Trump has raised the idea of American forces seizing Iran’s Kharg Island, its main oil terminal in the Persian Gulf. The comment by Trump came in an interview published early Monday by The Financial Times. “Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don’t. We have a lot of options,” Trump told the newspaper. “It would also mean we had to be there (on Kharg Island) for a while.” The president also said that Iran had agreed to allow 20 ships carrying oil through the Strait of Hormuz starting Monday morning and continuing over the next few days “out of a sign of respect.”
3. North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, watched a ground test of a solid-fuel missile engine and saw new tanks put through their paces recently, the country’s official news agency reported Sunday. The engine, made with carbon fiber materials, is part of a plan to steadily upgrade the country’s strategic strike capability, according to the Korean Central News Agency. The report provided no information on where and when the inspections took place. “The South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities are closely monitoring North Korean military’s weapon development trends,” South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense said by text message Monday. The engine test is of great significance in putting the country’s military muscle on the highest level, Kim said in the KCNA report.
4. President Donald Trump on Sunday night said he has “no problem” with a Russian oil tanker off the coast of Cuba delivering relief to the island, which has been brought to its knees by a U.S. oil blockade. “We have a tanker out there. We don’t mind having somebody get a boatload because they need … they have to survive,” Trump told reporters as he flew back to Washington. When asked if a New York Times report that the tanker would be allowed to reach Cuba was true, Trump said: “I told them, if a country wants to send some oil into Cuba right now, I have no problem whether it’s Russia or not.” On Monday, Russia’s Transport Ministry said the oil tanker Anatoly Kolodkin arrived at the Cuban port of Matanzas carrying “humanitarian supplies” of about 730,000 barrels of oil.
5. Vietnam veterans were honored at a national welcome home celebration Sunday held at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. Hundreds of veterans and supporters took part in a ceremonial walk down Constitution Avenue to honor those who served in the Vietnam War. Hosted by Veterans United during cherry blossom season, the event was emceed by actor and comedian Rob Riggle, a retired Marine Corps Reserve officer. The celebration continued with a tribute concert near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, featuring Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band. Craig Morgan, a country music artist and Army reservist, also performed.
- Security