The United States is reportedly considering plans to occupy or blockade Iran’s strategically crucial Kharg Island as tensions in the Gulf escalate. The island, which exports about 90% of Iranian oil, is seen as a key asset to pressure Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. However, any physical occupation would carry high risks, exposing US forces to Iranian drone and rocket fire in a confined space.
President Donald Trump sent mixed signals on Friday, first ruling out a ceasefire with Iran, stating, “I don’t want to do a ceasefire. You know you don’t do a ceasefire when you’re literally obliterating the other side.” Later, he wrote on Truth Social that the US was considering “winding down” military operations, saying, “We are getting very close to meeting our objectives.”
The US is reportedly sending three additional amphibious assault ships and roughly 2,500 marines to the region, despite Trump’s earlier reluctance to put “boots on the ground.” The Pentagon has already deployed the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and the USS Boxer is leaving early, though missions remain unclear.
Trump criticised NATO allies as “cowards” for refusing to help open the Strait of Hormuz, writing, “Without the U.S.A., NATO IS A PAPER TIGER! … COWARDS, and we will REMEMBER!”
The war showed no signs of de-escalation on Friday, with an Iranian drone attack hitting a Kuwait refinery and US-Israeli strikes burning 16 Iranian cargo vessels in port towns. Heavy explosions also shook Dubai as air defences intercepted rockets during Eid al-Fitr.
