Senior US officials have informed their counterparts in Israel and other nations in recent days that it appears there may be no alternative but for the United States to launch a ground military operation to seize the Iranian island of Kharg, two sources familiar with the matter told The Jerusalem Post.
Located in the Persian Gulf, Kharg Island serves as Iran’s primary hub for oil exports, with 90% of its crude oil destined for China. In recent days, discussions have begun within the US administration regarding whether to occupy the island to compel Iran to stop blocking vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
A US official confirmed to the Post that “the US military has accelerated the deployment of thousands of Marines and Navy personnel to the Middle East.”
This deployment includes the USS Boxer Amphibious Readiness Group, featuring the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer – which functions as a light aircraft carrier – alongside the amphibious transport docks USS Portland and USS Comstock.
These three vessels carry approximately 4,500 Marines and additional combat personnel.
Trump threatens Iranian energy infrastructure
About a week and a half ago, the US struck military targets on Kharg Island, after which US President Donald Trump tweeted: “We have destroyed all military targets on the island.” The president added that he had decided not to dismantle the island’s entire oil infrastructure at that time but warned, “If Iran thwarts movement in the Strait of Hormuz, I will reconsider.”
Meanwhile, Trump threatened Iran on Saturday, stating that if the blockade of the Strait is not lifted, he will target Iranian power plants.
Given Iran’s defiant response to the president’s warnings, it is considered unlikely that they will end the naval blockade voluntarily. Consequently, the current working assumption is that a military operation will be required to ensure freedom of navigation in the straits.