March 23, 2026 | 08:37 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The United States is reported to be considering a ground military operation to seize Iran's Kharg Island, a major oil export center for Iran. This comes as the deployment of troops to the region accelerates, according to The Jerusalem Post as cited by Anadolu on Monday, March 23, 2026.
The Jerusalem Post, citing two sources familiar with the matter, said that senior U.S. officials recently informed Israel and other countries that Washington may have no choice but to launch a ground operation to take control of the island.
A U.S. official also told the newspaper that the U.S. military has accelerated the deployment of thousands of Marines and Navy personnel to the Middle East as part of preparations for a potential operation.
The report stated that the deployment includes the Amphibious Ready Group USS Boxer, along with the amphibious transport dock ships USS Portland and USS Comstock.
The deployment could reportedly involve around 4,500 Marines and additional combat forces, raising speculation about a potential landing operation on the island.
Located in the Persian Gulf, Kharg Island is vital to Iran's economy. It is a major oil export center that processes about 90 percent of the country's crude oil shipments, which are often directed to China.
The report added that recent discussions have taken place within the U.S. government regarding the possibility of seizing the island to pressure Iran to stop disrupting maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
Since early March, Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz to most vessels.
This key oil transit route typically handles about 20 million barrels of oil per day and around 20 percent of the global liquefied natural gas trade.
This closure has raised shipping and insurance costs, driving up oil prices and sparking concerns for the global economy.
Earlier, a report by Axios on March 20 mentioned that U.S. President Donald Trump was ready to take over Kharg Island to pressure Tehran to open the shipping lane in the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, on March 22, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that all options are still on the table, and the possibility of sending troops to the island has not been ruled out.
As is known, the U.S. and Israel launched an attack on several targets in Iran, including in Tehran, on February 28, causing damage and civilian casualties.
Iran then retaliated by attacking Israeli territory and U.S. military facilities in the Middle East.
Read: Iran Offers Safe Passage to Japanese Ships in Hormuz
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