The U.S. Department of Defense has proposed a massive budget of $200 billion, roughly 6.56 trillion baht, to support military operations against Iran. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has begun discussing plans to send ground troops to seize Kharg Island, Iran's main oil export center, and to take control of Tehran's uranium stockpiles.
The Washington Post reported that the U.S. Department of Defense submitted a request to the White House seeking congressional approval for a budget of up to $200 billion (about 6.56 trillion baht) to support ongoing military operations against Iran. This enormous budget aims primarily to accelerate the production lines of critical weapons that have started running low since the conflict began on 28 February.
Data indicates that costs for this war have escalated rapidly, with the U.S. spending over $11 billion in just the first week. Previously, President Donald Trump proposed increasing the 2027 defense budget to $1.5 trillion, a rise of more than 50% from the previous year.
Beyond the budget, reports indicate that the Trump administration is considering deploying several thousand infantry troops to the Middle East to enable more intensive operations, such as seizing Kharg Island. Sources say discussions have focused on sending ground forces to take control of the island, which handles up to 90% of Iran's oil exports, rather than destroying it, in order to preserve its valuable economic infrastructure.
This also includes safeguarding the Strait of Hormuz, potentially stationing troops along Iran's coast to ensure the safety of oil tankers. There is also talk of deploying special forces to seize Iran's high-enriched uranium stockpiles, a mission considered highly risky and complex.
Although Trump campaigned on avoiding new wars in the Middle East, deploying ground troops is becoming a key option despite significant political risks, as American public support for the Iran war remains low.
White House officials state that no official decision to deploy infantry has been made yet, but President Trump continues to "keep all options on the table" to achieve the goals of Operation Epic Fury, which include destroying Iran's missile capabilities, eliminating the Iranian navy, wiping out proxy groups destabilizing the region, and ensuring Iran never acquires nuclear weapons.