Khaberni - CNN reported, based on intelligence reports, that Iran has deployed additional reinforcements on Khark Island in the recent weeks, in a step aimed at preparing for any potential operation that the United States might carry out to take control of the island.
US officials and military experts warned of the significant dangers that any ground operation to control Khark Island might entail, noting the possibility of severe losses for US forces.
The reports confirmed that the Iranian island is fortified with multiple defense layers, including the deployment of shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles and mine placement along its shores, to thwart any amphibious landing attempts by US forces.
Sources indicated that some allies of US President Donald Trump are raising serious questions about the necessity of this operation, considering that taking control of the island alone will not solve problems associated with the Strait of Hormuz or the global energy market.
American Concerns
According to intelligence reports, taking control of Khark Island requires a significant deployment of landing forces, while officials in the Trump administration have indicated that they are still assessing the feasibility of sending ground forces to the island.
CNN quoted an Israeli source saying that there are concerns that any attempt to take control of Khark Island might provoke attacks with drones and shoulder-launched missiles by Iranian forces, potentially leading to American casualties.
The source added, "The hope is that they will not take these risks and will suffice with symbolic targeting of the oil fields, but this cannot be assured."
Former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, retired Admiral James Stavridis, warned that the Iranians "are smart and fierce, and will do everything they can to cause the highest number of casualties to US forces, both at sea and on land."
An informed American source familiar with US military planning said that the Central Command possesses continuous monitoring of the island, which has enabled tracking of field changes and mine and trap placements.
Stavridis added that recent US strikes have weakened some of the island's air and naval defenses, which include medium-range "Hawk ground-to-air" missiles and anti-aircraft guns, but they are still exposed to Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks due to their proximity to the Iranian coasts.
Stavridis suggested that one of the options to pressure Iran is imposing a naval blockade on Khark, which would disrupt oil exports without needing to deploy forces on the ground.
Necessary Step
Senior US officials have informed their counterparts in Israel and other countries that there might be no alternative but to initiate a ground military operation to take control of the Iranian island of Khark, according to two informed sources who spoke to the Jerusalem Post.
According to the newspaper, the US administration recently began discussions on the possibility of taking control of the island to force Iran to stop obstructing ship movement through the Strait of Hormuz.
An American official confirmed to the newspaper that "the US military has accelerated the deployment of thousands of Marines and Navy personnel to the Middle East."
This deployment includes the Amphibious Readiness Group "USS Boxer" which consists of the amphibious assault ship "USS Boxer" alongside the amphibious transport ships "USS Portland" and "USS Comstock."
These three ships carry about 4500 Marines in addition to other combat elements.
