The ongoing US military buildup in the Middle East is raising speculation about the potential US occupation of key Iranian islands in the Strait of Hormuz, including Kharg Island, a critical fuel hub that handles 90% of Tehran’s oil exports.
However, Kharg Island is just one of several strategically important islands that form part of Iran’s “arch defense” in the Gulf. Other islands, such as Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, Hengam, Qeshm, Larak, and Hormuz, could play a crucial role in securing passage through the Strait of Hormuz, reports CNN.
Researchers Enayatollah Yazdani and Ma Yanzhe of Sun Yat-sen University have highlighted the significance of these islands, arguing that they control key shipping routes through the Gulf.
Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb are especially important, as large warships and tankers must pass within close proximity, making them vulnerable to Iranian military forces stationed on these islands. Iranian officials have previously referred to these islands as “stationary and unsinkable aircraft carriers.”
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has reinforced its presence on these islands, particularly after the US began escalating military operations in the region.
IRGC Commander Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri stated that the islands were integral to Iran’s military strategy, adding that they would be armed and operationalized to strike enemy vessels in the region.
Should the US attempt an amphibious assault on Kharg Island, they would need to first neutralise Iranian military positions on these islands to ensure safe passage for US warships.
While the US military has not confirmed any immediate plans for such an operation, analysts like Carl Schuster, a former director of the US Pacific Command’s Joint Intelligence Centre, have noted that controlling these islands would be vital for securing the Strait.
The US Navy would face significant obstacles in launching an assault on these islands, as any attempt to penetrate Iranian defences would require overpowering air and missile defences. US forces might deploy air or sea-based methods to land troops on the islands.
However, analysts warn that such an operation could be costly and time-consuming, taking anywhere from two days to two weeks.
A full-scale assault could require an occupation force of 1,800 to 2,000 troops to maintain control over the islands.
While this could deny Iran the use of the islands for military purposes, it would also leave US forces vulnerable to missile, drone, and artillery strikes from Iranian territory.
The geopolitical ramifications of such an operation are significant. The UAE has long disputed Iran’s control of the islands, which Tehran claims as part of its historical territory.
The US has supported the UAE’s claim in the past, and any action to seize or return these islands could worsen tensions between the two allies.
The seizure of these islands would also have broader regional implications, particularly in relation to Iran’s oil exports.
While Kharg Island is vital for Iran’s economy, analysts suggest that targeting the islands in the lower Gulf would pose less risk to the oil infrastructure while still ensuring control over the Strait.
US military planners will need to weigh the risks and potential costs of such an operation, including the long-term impact on relations with regional allies like the UAE.
