Military Experts Warn of Dangers if US Troops Target Iran’s Key Oil Island

President Trump is considering sending ground forces to capture Iran's Kharg Island, which handles 90% of the country's oil exports. Military analysts warn that while US troops could quickly seize the strategic location, they would face severe risks from drone attacks and mines.

WASHINGTON – Military experts are raising serious concerns about a potential ground operation against Iran’s most critical oil export facility, warning that American forces could face significant dangers despite the strategic value of the target.

President Trump is currently considering whether to deploy ground troops to capture Kharg Island, Iran’s primary oil shipping hub located 16 miles off the Iranian coastline in the northern Persian Gulf. The island sits approximately 300 miles northwest of the Strait of Hormuz in waters deep enough to accommodate large oil tankers that cannot reach Iran’s shallow coastal ports.

The facility processes 90% of Iran’s petroleum exports, making its capture potentially devastating to Tehran’s economy. Iran ranks as the third-largest oil producer within OPEC, giving the island enormous strategic importance.

Earlier this month, American forces conducted airstrikes against military installations on Kharg Island. Trump stated they “totally obliterated” all military targets and indicated oil infrastructure could be the next objective.

According to Reuters sources, administration officials are evaluating options for a ground invasion. Two Marine units may deploy to the region by month’s end, while the Pentagon reportedly plans to send thousands of airborne soldiers to provide Trump with additional military choices.

However, defense analysts warn that capturing the island could create more problems than it solves. Ryan Brobst and Cameron McMillan from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies cautioned that occupying Kharg Island would more likely escalate and prolong the conflict rather than achieve decisive results.

“A seizure and occupation of Kharg Island is more likely to expand and extend the war than it is to deliver any sort of decisive victory,” the analysts wrote.

American troops stationed on the island would face constant threats from missile strikes and unmanned aircraft attacks, including sophisticated camera-equipped drones similar to those extensively used in Ukraine. These small but deadly “first-person view drones” pose particular risks to ground forces.

“Upon any successful strikes, the Iranian regime would be expected to release videos of those attacks online, using the graphic deaths of American service members as propaganda,” the experts warned.

While Trump hopes that controlling Kharg Island would pressure Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and create negotiating leverage, Tehran could respond by deploying additional naval mines throughout the waterway. Such defensive measures would make the already disrupted shipping lanes even more hazardous for commercial vessels.

Joseph Votel, former commander of US Central Command, told TWZ.com that approximately 800 to 1,000 troops would be required to hold Kharg Island, but they would need extensive logistical support that would also require protection.

Votel emphasized the extreme vulnerability of forces stationed on the island and questioned whether capturing it would provide meaningful tactical benefits.

“It would be kind of an odd thing to do… But we could certainly do it if we had to,” Votel stated.