Iran fortifies Kharg Island with mines, troops, and air defenses amid US threat
Trump’s team sees seizing the island as a way to reopen the Strait of Hormuz (Photo: Getty Images)
Iran has been strengthening the defenses of Kharg Island in recent weeks to protect against a potential US ground operation, reports CNN.
According to several sources familiar with US intelligence assessments, Iran has been setting traps in recent weeks and has also been moving additional military personnel and air defense systems to Kharg Island.
In addition, Iran is laying anti-personnel and anti-tank mines around the island, including along the coastline where US forces could potentially launch an amphibious operation if US President Donald Trump decides to proceed with it.
CNN reports that the Trump administration is considering using US troops to seize the island as a lever to pressure Iran into reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
CNN explains that although it is a tiny island in the northeastern Persian Gulf, it serves as a vital economic lifeline for Iran, through which approximately 90% of the country’s exports pass.
However, US officials and military experts say such a ground operation carries significant risks, including heavy American casualties.
Sources say the island has layered defenses, and in recent weeks, the Iranians have moved additional air defense systems there.
One source noted that some of the US president’s allies are raising serious questions about the necessity of such an operation, as successfully capturing the island alone would not resolve the issues surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s leverage over the global energy market.
Meanwhile, an Israeli source expressed concern that seizing Kharg could trigger attacks using Iranian drones and man‑portable air defense systems, potentially resulting in the deaths of American servicemembers.
“The hope is that they won’t take that risk and will instead fire at the oil fields, but there is no way to know,” the source added.
Peace or war
The US had delivered a 15‑point peace plan to Iran aimed at ending hostilities in the Middle East. However, Iranian officials reportedly criticized the plan, calling it excessive, and put forward their own conditions for ending the war - at least according to media reports.
But on the evening of March 25, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that reports of Iran rejecting the US peace plan were false. According to her, negotiations between the parties are ongoing.
