EXPLAINER: Taking Kharg Island would pose risks for US troops

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he would like the United States to take control of Kharg Island, Iran’s key oil-export hub, escalating discussions around possible military expansion in the Gulf. Military analysts, however, warned that while the island could be seized quickly, such an operation could put U.S. troops at significant risk and potentially prolong the conflict rather than bring it to an end.

Where is Kharg Island and why is it important?

Kharg Island is located about 16 miles (26 kilometers) off Iran’s northern Gulf coast and roughly 300 miles (483 kilometers) northwest of the Strait of Hormuz. Its deep-water ports make it one of the few locations in the region capable of handling large oil tankers that cannot dock along Iran’s shallow mainland coastline.

Before the war began on February 28, the island reportedly handled around 90% of Iran’s oil exports. Any seizure or disruption of operations there would deal a major blow to Iran’s energy sector and place heavy pressure on the country’s already strained economy. Iran remains one of the top oil producers within the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

What is the current situation?

U.S. forces conducted strikes on Kharg Island in March and April, with Trump later claiming that military targets on the island had been effectively destroyed. At the time, U.S. officials also indicated that Washington was considering broader options, including the possible deployment of ground forces.

Since those strikes, the island has not been directly attacked again. However, U.S. operations in the surrounding waters have continued, including actions targeting oil tankers near Iranian ports as part of a wider pressure campaign.

On Thursday, Trump again expressed interest in taking control of the strategic oil facility, though no operational plan or timeline was announced.

Military risks and strategic concerns

Security experts caution that even if U.S. forces were able to seize Kharg Island quickly, holding it would present far greater challenges. Analysts from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies noted that an occupation would likely escalate and extend the war rather than deliver a decisive outcome.

They warned that U.S. troops stationed on the island could become vulnerable to missile strikes and drone attacks, including small first-person-view drones that have been widely used in modern warfare. Such attacks could also be used for propaganda purposes through the distribution of battlefield footage online.

Troop deployment challenges

Former U.S. Central Command commander Gen. Joseph Votel previously estimated that securing Kharg Island might require only a relatively small ground force of around 800 to 1,000 personnel. However, he emphasized that sustaining such a mission would require extensive logistical and defensive support, significantly increasing the operational footprint.

Votel also questioned the strategic value of taking the island, describing it as an unusual objective given the risks involved, though he acknowledged it would be militarily possible if pursued.

Broader implications

Even if successful, experts note that the seizure of Kharg Island may not immediately cripple Iran’s economy, as oil exports have already been significantly reduced by ongoing conflict and sanctions. Instead, the move could deepen regional instability and broaden the scope of the war.

-Reporting by David Brunnstrom; Editing by Andy Sullivan and William Maclean / Reuters