President Donald Trump is considering sending US troops to Kharg Island to seize Iranian oil assets.
According to officials speaking with Axios, the President is considering ordering US troops to seize the Iranian oil assets on the island. Kharg Island is about 15 miles off the coast of Iran, and is home to the seaport for 90% of Iranian oil exports. While Tehran has closed the Strait of Hormuz to tankers tied to the US and its allies, Iranian oil has continued to flow through the waterway.
On Friday, the US attacked Iranian military assets on Kharg Island, but did not target the oil infrastructure. Trump claimed the Iranian military on the island was decimated, but he may attack it again “just for fun.”
Last week, the US ordered a Marine Expeditionary Unit to move from the Philippine Sea to the Middle East. The MEU includes about 2,200 Marines and the USS Tripoli. The Marines could be used in part of a ground operation inside Iran.
The plan to seize Kharg Island is part of the White House’s effort to bring down oil prices and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Trump is also pushing for an international coalition that includes European countries and China to secure the key waterway.
Iran has been able to shut down the flow of oil, about 20% of global supply, following a surprise attack by the US and Israel.
