US President Donald Trump is considering using ground forces to seize Kharg Island, a strategic oil hub for Iran. The operation, analysts say, could be achieved quickly but might leave US troops in great peril and prolong rather than shorten the war.
Kharg Island lies 16 miles from Iran’s coast at the northern end of the Gulf, about 300 miles northwest of the Strait of Hormuz. It handles 90% of Iran’s oil exports, making its seizure a potential tool to disrupt Iran’s energy trade and place pressure on Tehran’s economy.
US forces carried out strikes against Kharg in mid-March, with officials considering sending ground forces to the island. Two contingents of Marines could arrive by month-end, along with thousands of airborne troops.
Experts warn that seizing Kharg Island would expose US troops to missile and drone attacks, including small camera-wielding drones used in Ukraine. The operation is seen as more likely to extend the war than deliver a decisive victory.
Trump hopes taking Kharg Island will force Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, providing leverage for future negotiations. However, Tehran could lay additional mines, further complicating shipping and increasing the risk for US troops.