Axios: Trump Weighs Unprecedented Military Option to Seize Iran's Kharg Island

A report from the news outlet Axios, citing informed sources, indicates that former U.S. President Donald Trump is contemplating an unprecedented military option: the seizure of Iran's strategic Kharg Island. This potential move aims to deliver a crippling economic blow to the Iranian regime by paralyzing its ability to export oil, which serves as the primary lifeline for Tehran's funding.

A Military Option with Economic Dimensions

The Axios report suggests that Trump "leans towards the idea of a full takeover of Kharg Island because it would be a devastating economic blow to the Iranian regime, cutting off funding to Tehran." Kharg Island, located in the Persian Gulf, is Iran's main oil export terminal, making its control a step with immense economic and geopolitical ramifications.

Despite the apparent attractiveness of this military option to some policymakers, Axios quoted a White House official stating that the President "has not made any final decisions regarding the island." However, the official added that "the situation could change" if efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to international navigation continue to be disrupted. The Strait is a vital waterway through which a significant portion of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies transit.

Iranian Warnings and Escalation Risks

This potential military option faces significant risks. The report adds that "such a move would require a military presence on the ground and could provoke Iran to launch retaliatory strikes on oil facilities and pipelines in Arab Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia." Iranian warnings have escalated significantly following these reports.

Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, Commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, warned late Sunday against any attack on Kharg Island. Tangsiri asserted that any military action against the island "would create another horrifying and new equation," hinting at a potential Iranian response that could alter the rules of engagement in the region.

Tense Regional Context and Hormuz Blockade

These developments unfold amidst an unprecedented military escalation in the region. Since February 28, the United States and Israel have commenced bombing targets in Iran, including the capital Tehran, with reports of significant damage and civilian casualties. Iran, in turn, has launched retaliatory strikes on Israeli territory, as well as targeting American military installations in the Middle East.

This escalation has led to a de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, severely impacting oil and LNG supplies from Gulf countries to the global market, and negatively affecting regional oil exports and production overall.

Diplomatic Efforts and International Stances

Amidst this tension, diplomatic efforts are underway to contain the crisis. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held a phone call with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed, during which they discussed the ongoing escalation in the region. French President Emmanuel Macron also revealed details of a phone call he had with his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, late Sunday, as part of efforts to de-escalate the situation.

Internationally, the British newspaper The Telegraph reported that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer rejected former U.S. President Donald Trump's invitation to send ships to the Strait of Hormuz to ensure navigation security, reflecting differing stances among allies. In a related context, The Wall Street Journal had previously reported that the Trump administration plans to announce an alliance to escort ships in the Strait of Hormuz, in an effort to secure navigation.

Mounting Costs of the Conflict

As the confrontation intensifies, Kevin Hassett, Director of the National Economic Council at the White House, announced that the cost of the U.S. military operation against Iran has so far reached approximately $12 billion, according to the latest briefing he received, highlighting the significant economic burdens of this conflict.

The option of seizing Iran's Kharg Island remains on President Trump's table, but it represents a high-stakes move that could push the region into unprecedented escalation, with potential global geopolitical and economic repercussions.