Donald Trump has warned of possible further American military action targeting Kharg Island, a small but strategically critical island off Iran’s coast that serves as the backbone of the country’s oil exports.
In an interview with the Financial Times on Sunday, Trump said the United States was considering options that include seizing the island, while reiterating his intent to control Iran’s oil resources. “Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don’t. We have a lot of options,” he said, adding that such an operation would require a sustained presence. “It would also mean we had to be there for a while… I don’t think they have any defence. We could take it very easily.”
The remarks come amid heightened tensions in the Gulf region following earlier US strikes on the island. On March 13, Trump claimed US forces had “totally obliterated” military targets on Kharg Island, while deliberately sparing its oil infrastructure to avoid long-term economic disruption.
Reports suggest the US administration is weighing plans to either occupy or blockade the island to pressure Iran into reopening the Strait of Hormuz—one of the world’s most vital oil shipping corridors. Control of Kharg Island would effectively choke Iran’s oil exports and potentially provide a forward base for operations against the mainland.
According to US officials cited by American media, the Pentagon has drawn up detailed contingency plans for deploying ground forces into Iran. Adding to speculation, US Central Command confirmed the recent arrival of 3,500 additional American sailors and marines in the Middle East as part of a unit led by the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli.
While the Pentagon and the White House have declined to comment on specific operational plans, both have repeatedly indicated that military options remain on the table.
Security analysts say capturing the island would deal a major blow to Iran’s economic and military capabilities. The island handles nearly 90% of Iran’s crude oil exports, making it a crucial revenue source, particularly for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Analysts suggest the US could use control of the island as leverage to ensure uninterrupted passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
However, experts caution that any such operation would be complex. A US landing force would need to traverse significant distances, either via naval deployment or airborne assault, making it logistically challenging despite the island’s limited size.
Iran has issued strong warnings against any incursion. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Iranian forces were “waiting for American soldiers” and would “rain fire” on any troops entering its territory. Iranian officials have also threatened to target shipping routes, including in the Red Sea, in the event of a ground invasion.
In response to rising threats, Tehran has reportedly reinforced Kharg Island’s defences, deploying additional troops, air defence systems, and surface-to-air missiles. Reports also indicate the placement of anti-personnel and anti-armour mines in surrounding waters.
Despite recent US strikes on military installations—including missile storage sites, naval facilities and air defence systems—Iranian authorities maintain that oil export operations from Kharg Island remain unaffected and continue without interruption.
Located just 24 km off Iran’s coast, Kharg Island serves as a vital oil export terminal, with pipelines transporting crude from the mainland to its jetties, where large tankers load shipments primarily destined for China. Its strategic position and infrastructure make it a critical node in global energy supply—and a potential flashpoint in escalating US-Iran tensions.
