American media report a possible Pentagon military plan under which about 2,200 Marines could be used to seize strategic islands in the Persian Gulf. The operation's aim is to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran effectively closed three weeks ago. The plan is seen as an attempt to establish footholds to counter Iranian attacks on commercial vessels and restore safe international navigation. The Marine unit in question has already been deployed to the region and is aboard an amphibious ship.
According to reports, the main targets could be three key Iranian islands: Khark, through which about 90% of Iran's oil passes; Qeshm, located at the entrance to the strait; and Kish, used as a base for small attack boats. Seizing these territories is considered not only a military operation but also a powerful bargaining tool. A former commander of US Central Command said that control of Khark would give Washington a "bargaining chip," allowing it to avoid total destruction of infrastructure and long-term damage to the global economy.
There are reports of possible expansion of international participation in the operation. Israeli media report that the US army is preparing a mission to establish control over the strait that could take about two weeks, and that Israeli forces may participate. Meanwhile, British military planners are working with their American counterparts at the Central Command headquarters to study options for unblocking the strait, indicating London’s involvement despite some allies' overall caution.
The immediate cause of the crisis was Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran carried out in response to US and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets. The strait is a vital route through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil passes. Its blockade has inflicted serious damage on the global economy, causing fuel prices to rise and putting the US and its allies before a difficult political and military choice.
Although about three weeks have passed since the escalation began, the crisis is far from resolved. Iran continues to retaliate against strikes, attacking Israeli and American targets as well as allies’ facilities in the region. This maintains high tensions and leaves various options for forceful response open, including the discussed plan to seize islands, while Washington has not yet announced the start of a large-scale operation.
Comments on the news
- What share of the world’s oil and other goods does Iran effectively control through the Strait of Hormuz, and how did this affect its negotiations with world powers in the past? - About 20–30% of the world’s seaborne oil trade and a significant volume of liquefied natural gas pass through the Strait of Hormuz. This control gave Iran a powerful leverage in negotiations, especially during discussions over its nuclear program. The threat to close the strait or disrupt shipping has been used by Tehran as a tool to ease sanctions or obtain concessions, since such a blockade could cause a sharp spike in global energy prices.
- Why is Khark Island so important to Iran’s economy that its capture is considered a "bargaining chip," and what infrastructure does it have besides oil terminals? - Khark Island has historically been Iran’s main oil export terminal. Its capture by an adversary would paralyze a primary source of foreign exchange for the country. Besides large oil terminals and storage facilities, the island has its own power plant, desalination plants, residential complexes for workers, port services, and air defense systems. Its vulnerability makes it a "bargaining chip" because losing Khark would inflict a catastrophic economic blow on Iran.
- What is the history and current capability of the Iranian navy, especially its small attack boats, in countering the naval forces of major powers in the narrow waters of the Persian Gulf? - The Iranian navy, particularly the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), after the Iran–Iraq War adopted an asymmetric strategy. Hundreds of small, fast, and hard-to-detect boats (types like "Tondar," "Paykan") were developed and built, armed with missiles, machine guns, and torpedoes. In narrow waters of the Persian Gulf, such as the Strait of Hormuz, these boats can operate in swarms, using "swarm" tactics to attack larger ships, mine channels, and conduct quick raids. Their current capabilities include being equipped with more advanced anti-ship missiles, posing a serious threat even to modern navies in constrained maritime spaces.
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