The administration of US President Donald Trump is mulling plans to occupy or blockade the Iranian island of Kharg in order to force Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the website “Axios“ reports, citing four official sources, BTA reported.
It is important to note that President Trump cannot end the war, at least not on his terms, until he breaks Iran's grip on shipping through the strait. Meanwhile, global energy prices are rising. However, an operation to seize Kharg Island, which is located about 25 kilometers from the coast and through which 90% of Iran's crude oil exports pass, could expose US troops to more direct fire. Therefore, such an operation would only be undertaken after the US military has further weakened Iran's military capabilities around the Strait of Hormuz.
“We need about a month to further weaken Iran through strikes, take control of the island and then strengthen our negotiating position,“ a White House official said. Such an action, if approved, would also require more troops.
Three different Marine Corps divisions are en route to the region. The White House and the Pentagon are considering sending even more troops soon, a US official said.
“He (Donald Trump) wants the Strait of Hormuz open. If he has to take Kharg Island to make that happen, it will happen. If he decides to conduct a coastal invasion, it will happen. "But that decision hasn't been made yet," a senior administration official told Axios.
"We've always had troops on the ground in conflicts under every president, including Trump. I know it's a media frenzy and I understand the politics, but the president will do what's right," a second senior official said, adding that no decision has been made yet.
Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said Trump was acting "cautiously" by not ruling out a ground invasion but did not say whether he supported it. Cotton said the closure of the strait was an act of desperation on Iran's part, but said Trump had "plans galore" for this case.
While Kharg Island is critical to Iran's oil industry, there is no guarantee that seizing it will persuade Tehran to make peace on Trump's terms.
Rear Admiral (retd.) Mark Montgomery told Axios that such a mission would expose US troops to unnecessary risk, given the uncertain benefits. "If we take Kharg Island, they'll turn off the tap on the other side. It's not like we're controlling their oil production," he said. Montgomery said it was more likely that after about two weeks of strikes aimed at weakening Iran's capabilities, the United States would send destroyers and aircraft into the strait to escort tankers, thus obviating the need for an invasion.
Last Friday, the US military carried out massive airstrikes on dozens of military targets on Kharg Island.
The strike was a "warning shot" to convince the Iranians to reopen the strait, US officials said. It was also a preparatory step to weaken Iran's military capabilities on the island and lay the groundwork for a potential ground operation.
“We can destroy the island at any time. I call it the little island that sits there completely undefended. We destroyed everything except the pipes. We left the pipes because it would take years to rebuild them,” Trump said yesterday.
Trump also told reporters yesterday that he “is not deploying troops anywhere,” although he added: “If I was, I certainly wouldn’t be telling you.”
Behind the scenes, military operations such as occupying the island or a naval blockade are being discussed, with legal opinions sought on their legality. In the meantime, the US is sending marines to the region and considering additional reinforcements. Other operations, including the evacuation of diplomatic personnel, are also possible.