Trump Considers Occupying Iranian Island to Pressure Iran Over Strait of Hormuz

President Donald Trump is considering a plan to occupy or blockade Kharg Island, a critical oil export hub in Iran, according to reports. The move is aimed at pressuring Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil shipments.

“We necessitate about a month to further weaken Iran with strikes, take the island, and then control them and apply them for negotiation,” an unnamed source told Axios, as reported by Al Jazeera on Friday.

The potential action follows recent U.S. Strikes targeting military installations on Kharg Island, which handles approximately 90% of Iran’s oil exports. While President Trump stated that oil infrastructure was intentionally spared during the initial bombing raids, he has threatened future attacks should Iran continue to interfere with maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

In a post on Truth Social on March 14th, President Trump claimed U.S. Forces had “totally obliterated every MILITARY target in Iran’s crown jewel, Pulau Kharg.” U.S. Central Command confirmed the strikes, stating they destroyed naval mine storage facilities and missile storage bunkers, hitting “90 Iranian military targets” while “preserving the oil infrastructure.”

The Iranian armed forces have responded with threats to strike U.S. Allied oil facilities if Iran’s energy infrastructure is attacked. A statement released by Iran’s Al-Anbiya Headquarters warned that oil and energy infrastructure belonging to companies cooperating with the U.S. Would be “immediately destroyed and turned into piles of ash.”

Lindsey Graham, a U.S. Senator, has publicly urged President Trump to “take” Kharg Island, arguing it would cripple Iran’s economy. However, Graham acknowledged that a full invasion of Iran is not currently warranted.

The U.S. Military has approved the deployment of additional forces to the region amid the ongoing conflict with Iran. According to Axios, a senior Trump administration official stated that an invasion of Kharg Island could occur if President Trump makes the decision, but no final determination has been made.

In 2024, an average of 20 million barrels of oil per day transited the Strait of Hormuz, representing approximately 20% of global petroleum liquids consumption. Iran has threatened to strike any ship traveling through the strait that is not carrying Iranian oil, with limited exceptions. The Trump administration has offered to escort ships through the strait and has sought assistance from NATO allies, but so far, other countries have declined to participate.

The U.S. Bombing of Kharg Island has sparked concerns about further escalation in the region. In a 1988 interview with The Guardian, Trump stated he would be “harsh on Iran” if he were to become president.