Following President Donald Trump’s ambiguity regarding the potential seizure of Kharg Island, military experts have outlined a hypothetical scenario involving a U.S. amphibious assault to capture this strategically critical Iranian facility.
The proposed operation involves U.S. Marines securing the island with air and naval superiority, aiming to preserve the oil infrastructure crucial for future Iranian governance. The island, responsible for approximately 90% of Iran’s crude oil exports, represents a key economic target in Washington’s pressure campaign against Tehran.
“There are multiple approaches to this challenge,” stated retired Vice Admiral Robert Harward, former deputy commander of U.S. Central Command. “The strategy focuses on establishing control while minimizing risks to both our forces and the infrastructure.”
Harward emphasized that the primary goal is not merely to capture Kharg Island but to safeguard its oil facilities for potential post-regime use. He noted that previous U.S. operations intentionally avoided damaging oil infrastructure to prevent global economic repercussions.
Located just 16 miles from Iran’s coast, Kharg Island’s strategic vulnerability lies in its proximity to Iranian missile and drone capabilities. Experts caution that while capturing the island may be relatively straightforward, maintaining control could escalate into a prolonged conflict with significant regional implications.
“The challenge is distinguishing between tactical success and strategic sustainability,” Harward explained. “Seizing the island is one military task; defending it against mainland retaliation is another.”
Military analysts also highlight alternative options, such as intensifying economic pressure through sanctions targeting Iran’s overland and air transportation networks. These measures might achieve strategic objectives without committing ground forces or risking escalation.
The historical significance of Kharg Island adds complexity to any military consideration. The island has served as a strategic asset since the 19th century and was developed as Iran’s primary oil export terminal in the 1960s.
“Iran has invested heavily in anti-access measures designed to deter U.S. forces from approaching its territory,” noted Nicholas Carl of the American Enterprise Institute. These include advanced missile systems, naval mines, and drone capabilities.
Harward acknowledged that the greatest risk would be Iranian missile and drone attacks from the mainland after U.S. forces secure the island. Success would require precise intelligence and careful planning to mitigate threats like booby traps or improvised explosive devices.
The operation’s viability hinges on balancing short-term military gains with long-term regional stability. Harward concluded that the broader objective should focus on fostering a post-Islamic Republic Iran aligned with its people and committed to regional security.
Whether through military action or economic strategies, policymakers face complex decisions regarding Iran’s economic infrastructure and its implications for global energy markets.
Satellite view of Kharg Island, located in the Persian Gulf off the coast of Iran. (Gallo Images/Orbital Horizon/Copernicus Sentinel Data 2024)
U.S. forces conduct a maritime interdiction and boarding of the Veronica III without incident in the INDOPACIM area of responsibility after the vessel allegedly attempted to defy President Trump’s quarantine, Feb. 15, 2026. (X/@DeptofWar)
A satellite image shows an oil terminal at Kharg Island, Iran, Feb. 25, 2026. (2026 Planet Labs PBC/Handout via Reuters)
The Port of Kharg Island Oil Terminal, 25 km from the Iranian coast in the Persian Gulf and 483 km northwest of the Strait of Hormuz, in Iran on March 12, 2017. (Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Export oil pipelines are seen at an oil facility on Kharg Island, on the shore of the Gulf, Feb. 23, 2016. (Str/AFP Via Getty Images)
