Trump administration considers seizing Kharg Island to pressure Iran to unblock Strait of Hormuz
The Trump administration is considering a number of military options, including a possible occupation or naval blockade of the Iranian island of Kharg, as part of an effort to pressure Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, according to four sources familiar with internal discussions cited by Axios.
Cargo ships transit the Arabian Gulf towards the Strait of Hormuz PHOTO profimedia
The deliberations come amid escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf and reactions from global energy markets hit by disruptions to one of the world's most important shipping routes.
Kharg Island, located about 24 kilometers off Iran's coast, is a strategic hub for the country's energy infrastructure, processing about 90 percent of Iran's oil exports. A possible military operation targeting the island would involve considerable risks, potentially exposing American forces directly to the conflict.
A source familiar with White House thinking described a possible sequencing of such an operation. “We need about a month to weaken the Iranians a lot with strikes, take the island and then put pressure on them and use it in negotiations,” the source said.
Officials stressed that no final decision had been made, and any transition to ground operations would depend on further degradation of Iran's military capabilities in the region. Reinforcements are already being mobilized, with three units of Marines on the way, and additional deployments are being considered.
A senior administration official, speaking off the record, highlighted the wide range of options under consideration. “He wants Hormuz open. If it is necessary to take Kharg Island for that purpose, it will happen. If he decides on a coastal invasion, it will happen. But a decision has not been made,” the official said.
Another senior official dismissed concerns about escalation, citing historical precedents for deploying US troops in foreign conflicts. “We've always had troops on the ground in conflicts under all presidents, including Trump,” the official said. “I know it's a concern in the media and I understand the politics, but the president is going to do what's right.”
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said the administration had been prudent in not taking the option of ground troops off the table, but declined to say whether he would support a ground invasion. Cotton, on the other hand, described Iran's actions as motivated by desperation, adding that the administration has “plenty of plans” for such scenarios.
A risky enterprise
Some military analysts, however, questioned the strategic value of a possible capture of Kharg Island. Reserve Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery warned that such an operation could expose US personnel to significant risks without guaranteeing a favorable outcome.
“If we take Kharg Island, they're going to stop the flow to the other end. It's not like we're controlling their oil production,” Montgomery said, suggesting Iran could respond by cutting off exports or other adaptation methods.
Montgomery added that a less escalating approach might be more realistically escorting merchant ships by naval forces, rather than a land invasion. It is more likely that after about two more weeks of attacks to degrade their capabilities, the US will send destroyers and aircraft into the strait to escort the tankers, he said.
The crisis has already affected the US president's travel plans. According to two sources, Trump originally intended to end the conflict before a planned visit to China in late March, but the situation in the Strait of Hormuz led to the postponement of that trip.
Last Friday, US forces carried out extensive airstrikes on several military targets on Kharg Island, which officials described as both a warning and a tactical measure to weaken Iranian defenses.
“We can destroy the island any time we want,” Trump said Thursday. “I call it the little island sitting there completely undefended. I destroyed everything but the pipes. I left the pipes because it would take years to rebuild them.”
However, Trump appeared to distance himself from the immediate deployment of ground troops. “I'm not sending troops anywhere,” he told reporters, adding: “If I did, I certainly wouldn't tell you.”
Behind the scenes, other sources indicate that a takeover of the island remains a serious consideration, alongside alternative options such as a naval blockade to limit access to the island. Pentagon legal advisers were reportedly consulted to assess the legal implications of such actions.
In addition to the expeditionary force of about 2,500 Marines due to arrive in the coming days, two other similarly sized units are also on their way to the region. Discussions on additional reinforcements continue, although no final decisions have been announced. Earlier reports by Newsmax and Reuters revealed plans to send reinforcements,
Officials also said that not all planned troop deployments would necessarily be related to offensive operations targeting Kharg Island. Some units could be used for missions such as evacuating diplomatic personnel if the situation in the region deteriorates.
