Kamal Ghorui
US President Donald Trump’s suggestion that Washington could seize Iran’s key oil hub, Kharg Island, has raised concerns around strategic, military and economic risks of such a move. While the island is central to Iran’s energy exports, experts warn that any attempt to capture or disable it could escalate the conflict, expose US forces to significant danger, and still fall short of delivering a decisive outcome.
Kharg Island in numbers
A critical oil lifeline
Kharg Island, located in the Persian Gulf, handles roughly 90 per cent of Iran’s crude oil exports, making it a vital node in the country’s economy. Its deep waters allow large tankers to dock, something much of Iran’s shallow coastline cannot support, ensuring steady shipments, much of which is bound for China, reported The New York Times.
Any disruption to the island’s operations would significantly constrain Iran’s export capacity and tighten global oil supply, particularly as energy markets remain volatile amid tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.
Military risks and operational hurdles
Despite its strategic importance, analysts say seizing and holding Kharg Island would be highly challenging. The island lies about 33 kilometres off Iran’s mainland, placing any occupying force within range of Iranian missiles, drones and artillery.Michael Eisenstadt, a former US military analyst, cautioned against deploying troops on the ground. “On the other hand, you’re putting your own troops at jeopardy,” he said, as quoted by Associated Press. “It’s not far from the mainland. So they can potentially rain a lot of destruction on the island, if they’re willing to inflict damage on their own infrastructure.”The short distance from the mainland would also limit response time against incoming threats, while terrain along Iran’s coast could make it harder to detect low-flying drones and missiles.
Escalation risks and limited leverage
Experts warn that such a move could trigger wider retaliation across the region. Iran and allied groups could intensify attacks on US bases, target Gulf infrastructure, or disrupt shipping routes, including through mining operations in the Strait of Hormuz, reported Associated Press.Danny Citrinowicz, an Iran expert, said capturing the island may not yield decisive leverage. “It will be hard to take. It will be hard to hold,” he said, adding, “It’s in no way a decisive blow.”While control of Kharg Island could offer some bargaining power, analysts say it is unlikely to force Tehran into major concessions, given its ability to sustain limited exports through alternative channels.
Alternatives to ground action
Some experts argue that a naval blockade targeting Iranian oil shipments could achieve similar objectives with lower risk. Such a strategy could restrict exports without exposing US troops to direct ground combat, reported Associated Press.“Throw up a quarantine that seeks to seize Iranian oil shipments that are exiting the Gulf,” said Clayton Seigle, an energy security expert, noting it could be enforced at a safer distance from Iranian weapon systems.Trump himself has indicated uncertainty around a potential operation. “Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don’t. We have a lot of options,” he said, adding that such a move “would also mean we had to be there for a while.”
Global economic implications
Any escalation involving Kharg Island could have far-reaching consequences beyond the battlefield. Disruption to Iran’s primary export terminal could remove significant oil volumes from global markets, pushing prices higher and adding pressure to an already fragile global economy.With tensions rising, Kharg Island is emerging as both a strategic prize and a potential flashpoint, one that could shape not only the conflict, but also global energy dynamics.
