U.S. President Donald Trump has been weighing whether to deploy ground forces to seize Iran’s strategic oil hub of Kharg Island - an operation analysts say could be swift, but would expose U.S. troops to significant danger and potentially prolong, rather than shorten, the war.
Kharg Island lies 16 miles (26 km) off Iran’s coast at the northern end of the Gulf, about 300 miles (483 km) north-west of the Strait of Hormuz.
Its surrounding waters are deep enough to accommodate large tankers that cannot access the shallow coastal areas of the Iranian mainland.
The island handles 90% of Iran's oil exports and seizing it would give the United States the ability to severely disrupt Iran's energy trade, placing enormous pressure on Tehran's economy. Iran is the third largest producer in the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
U.S. forces carried out strikes against Kharg Island in mid-March. Trump said they had “totally obliterated” all military targets there and suggested oil infrastructure could be targeted next.
Two contingents of Marines could arrive in the region by the end of the month, and sources say the Pentagon is planning to deploy thousands of airborne troops to give Trump additional options should he order a ground assault.
U.S. troops could likely seize the island relatively quickly, but this would not necessarily lead to the swift and decisive end to the war that Trump has sought, particularly given its unpopularity at home ahead of the November midterm elections.
“A seizure and occupation of Kharg Island is more likely to expand and prolong the war than to deliver any sort of decisive victory,” Ryan Brobst and Cameron McMillan of the Foundation for Defence of Democracies wrote.
They said U.S. troops would be exposed to missile and drone attacks, including potentially small but lethal camera-equipped “first-person view drones” already used extensively in Ukraine.
“Following any successful strikes, the Iranian regime would be expected to release videos of those attacks online, using the graphic deaths of American service members as propaganda,” they said.
Trump may also hope that capturing Kharg Island would force Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and provide leverage in future negotiations, analysts say.
However, Tehran could respond by laying additional mines to target shipping, including floating mines deployed from the coast. This would make the region even more hazardous, further disrupting shipping already affected by the conflict.
A former commander of U.S. Central Command, Joseph Votel, told TWZ.com last week that while only 800 to 1,000 troops would be needed on Kharg Island, they would require logistical support that would also need protection.
Votel said the troops would be highly vulnerable and expressed doubt that seizing the island would offer any meaningful tactical advantage.
It would be “kind of an odd thing to do … But we could certainly do it if we had to,” he said.
Kyiv has recently received a small number of U.S.-made Patriot interceptors capable of downing Russian ballistic miss...
Oil prices fell after the U.S. expanded economic sanctions on Iran, as Tehran vowed to retaliate and warned it had tools to respond, raising concer...
Country music legend Dolly Parton, whose songs, unmistakable style and warmth made her one of America’s most enduring entertainers, has died ...
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday that Kyiv wants peace but will not surrender to Russia, as foreign leaders joined Independence Day events marking 35 years since Ukraine’s independence.
Oil prices fell after the U.S. expanded economic sanctions on Iran, as Tehran vowed to retaliate and warned it had tools to respond, raising concerns over potential disruption to regional oil supplies.
Only four commodity vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, following 13 transits a day earlier, as disruptions continue to restrict traffic through the key energy chokepoint.
A newly created pro-government political party has secured a commanding victory in Kazakhstan's snap parliamentary election, according to exit polls, strengthening President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's influence at a pivotal moment in the country's political transition.
Kyiv has recently received a small number of U.S.-made Patriot interceptors capable of downing Russian ballistic missiles, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said. It comes as Britain and France pledged stronger military support for Ukraine.
Türkiye has established four sub-commissions to oversee the implementation of a new legal framework tied to the disarmament of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
Central Asia is moving beyond experiments with digital assets as governments begin putting new forms of digital money into practice.
Parents in Gaza are being urged to stop their children flying kites after Israel threatened tougher military action over those drifting across the border.
Armenia is “free” to leave the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has said. He made the remarks after Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said he would be “very pleased” if the Russian-led military alliance expelled Armenia.
Armenia’s Anti-Corruption Committee has disclosed details of a criminal case involving former President Robert Kocharyan, saying he and five other people - including his son - have been detained as part of a corruption investigation.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment