The front page of Iran’s English-language newspaper, The Tehran Times, issued a stark warning to Washington following US media reports that the United States may deploy up to 10,000 additional troops to the Middle East.In its Saturday edition, the paper featured the headline “Welcome to Hell,” alongside a message stating that any US troops who enter Iranian territory would “leave only in coffins.”The Tehran Times “warning” came alongside the arrival of around 3,500 Marine soldiers in the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility. CENTCOM oversees America’s military operations across the Middle East.The Marines were transported to the region aboard the USS Tripoli, one of the United States’ largest amphibious assault ships, which deployed from its home base in Japan.The arrival of the Marines has further fuelled speculation that the US may launch an operation to capture Kharg Island — a strategically vital hub that was already targeted earlier this month under Operation Epic Fury, Washington’s ongoing military campaign against Iran.Meanwhile, according to CENTCOM, American forces have carried out strikes against Iran’s military infrastructure, focusing on sites described as posing an “imminent threat” since February 28, when the US and Israel launched joint attacks across Iran, sparking the current conflict.The targets include facilities linked to the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, air defence systems, missile sites, naval assets, and weapons production infrastructure.CENTCOM also reports that more than 11,000 combat flights have been conducted so far, with over 150 Iranian vessels reportedly damaged or destroyed.
