Tehran Issues Warning Over Potential US Seizure of Kharg Island

Kharg Island, located 55 kilometers off the coast of Bushehr province, serves as the critical artery for Iran’s crude shipments. The facility’s deep-water access allows the world’s largest tankers to dock, making it a primary target in reports suggesting US President Donald Trump is weighing military options against Iran. These options reportedly include airstrikes on the Pickaxe Mountain nuclear complex and the occupation of the island to cripple the Iranian economy.

Analysts remain skeptical of the long-term feasibility of such an operation. Andreas Krieg, a security studies expert at King’s College London, noted that while the US possesses the naval and amphibious power to seize a small island, holding and supplying such a position under fire presents a different challenge. With approximately 50,000 American troops currently stationed in the Middle East, any move against Kharg would likely expose personnel to sustained Iranian drone and missile strikes. Meanwhile, Tehran insists that the 14-clause memorandum of understanding with the US remains binding, dismissing any justification for Washington to abandon the agreement or pursue further military escalation in the Strait of Hormuz.