Khaberni - Axios revealed that President Donald Trump is considering a military option that involves the occupation of the strategic Iranian Kharg Island, in a move aimed at crippling Tehran’s ability to export oil.
The report indicates that "Trump is leaning towards the idea of fully seizing Kharg Island as it would deal a crippling economic blow to the Iranian regime, effectively cutting off Tehran’s funding."
Despite the allure of the military option, Axios quoted a White House official saying the president "has not made any final decisions regarding the island." However, he added that "the situation could change" if efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to international navigation continue to be disrupted.
The site adds: "Nevertheless, such a move would require a military presence on the ground, and might provoke Iran to launch retaliatory strikes on oil facilities and pipelines in Arab countries in the Gulf, especially Saudi Arabia."
In turn, the commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's naval forces, Admiral Ali Reza Tangsiri, warned on Sunday night against attacks on the Iranian island of "Kharg," stating that it would create a new and terrifying equation!
On February 28, The United States and Israel began bombing targets in Iran, including Tehran, with reports of damage and civilian casualties. Iran, in turn, has launched retaliatory strikes on Israeli territory, as well as targeting American military facilities in the Middle East.
The escalation around Iran has led to an effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage for oil and liquefied natural gas supplies from the Gulf states to the global market, and has impacted oil exports and production in the region.
