Axios reports on the matter, saying that US president Trump is considering plans to take over Iran’s Kharg Island so as to use it as a bargaining chip to pressure Iran into reopening the Strait of Hormuz. That according to four sources with knowledge of the issue.
The sources note that:
“He wants Hormuz open. If he has to take Kharg Island to make it happen, that’s going to happen. If he decides to have a coastal invasion, that’s going to happen. But that decision hasn’t been made.”
“We need about a month to weaken the Iranians more with strikes, take the island and then get them by the balls and use it for negotiations.”
For some context, Kharg Island can somewhat be referred to as Iran’s own “Crown Jewel”. Almost all of Iran’s oil (roughly 90% of crude exports) passes through this island. As such, it is an extremely vital and strategic point of interest.
That being said, carrying out military operations on the island is one thing. As for occupying the island itself, that will prove to be more than challenging. Kharg Island sits just 15 miles off Iran’s mainland and that means any US forces put in place will come under heavy fire as they will be in close proximity to Iran’s land-based artillery, drones, and short-range missiles.
It’s a risky maneuver and one if carried out, could be a massive drain of US resources. So, just keep that in mind.
And once we start to see ground troops get rolled in, don’t expect this war to be wrapped up in a matter of “weeks”. That just never happens. So, that in itself is another signal that this whole conflict may drag on for much longer despite Trump’s continued reassurance that it will end “soon”.
This article was written by Justin Low at investinglive.com.
