US War Games in Hormuz: Kharg Island Seizure Drills Surface Amid Trump's Rhetoric
NPR's recent article, 'Trump has talked about seizing Iran's Kharg Island. But what would that look like?', attempts to unpack a potential Trump administration move. The piece frames former President Trump's contemplation of taking control of Kharg Island, a pivotal Iranian oil export terminal, as a theoretical exercise, discussing the logistical complexities and potential repercussions of such an
action. It queries the practicalities of a seizure, the necessary military resources, and the international legal fallout, presenting a seemingly neutral exploration of a provocative idea. What NPR conveniently omits is that this isn't some fresh, audacious thought bubble from a former president. For over a decade, US, Israeli, and allied forces have been actively conducting naval exercises in the
Persian Gulf and surrounding waters, many of which explicitly simulate the disruption, blockade, and even seizure of Iranian energy infrastructure. These aren't just 'drills'; they are detailed rehearsals for war. The framing by outlets like NPR suggests a novel, off-the-cuff consideration, rather than acknowledging a long-standing, publicly documented military strategy. When the US Navy's Fifth
Fleet conducts large-scale operations in a region adjacent to the world's most critical oil chokepoint, it isn't practicing for a regatta. This isn't mere conjecture. Consider the publicly known details of 'Operation Millennium Challenge 2002', a massive war game involving US forces and their allies that simulated a conflict in the Persian Gulf. During this exercise, a 'red team' commander, Marine