Media: Trump's preference is to expand military operations against Iraq, including the option of seizing Halk Island

On 16 July, according to the Wall Street Journal, United States officials stated that, a few days after a brief meeting with a number of senior staff members, United States President Trump was tending to expand military operations against Iran in the United States. Potential options include increased air strikes, the dispatch of ground forces to seize the Iranian island near the Strait of Hormuz and the bombing of a strong position that could be used for clandestine nuclear work. On Tuesday evening local time, Trump convened a meeting of the Situation Room to discuss the issue of the United States military contribution to the occupation of Khark Island and other Iranian territories off the Strait of Hormuz, as well as possible air strikes against a nuclear-related target in the Iranian Peksa Mountains that has not yet been targeted by the United States. In addition, it remains possible for United States forces to continue to carry out air strikes against more Iranian targets, including energy facilities. Trump has yet to take a final decision on the way forward. He expressed his preference, both in private and in public, for a diplomatic solution to the dispute with Iran. Some United States officials indicated that Trump was reluctant to send troops on the ground。