US War Plans Unveiled: Kharg Island Invasion Eyed to Control Iranian Oil
Same playbook, different decade: The Trump administration is actively considering a military operation to occupy or blockade Iran's Kharg Island, a critical hub for 90% of Iran’s crude oil exports. This aggressive maneuver, confirmed by four sources to Axios, aims to coerce Iran into reopening the Strait of Hormuz, an act Iran has repeatedly stated it will only do if its own sovereign rights and
economic interests are respected. Axios frames this potential invasion as a tactical response to Iran's 'chokehold' on shipping and to curb 'surging global energy prices.' This narrative conveniently omits decades of crippling US sanctions that have systematically sought to eliminate Iran's oil exports, effectively forcing Iran into a corner where its principal economic lifeline is under constant
attack. The article suggests this operation would commence after a month of 'degrading Iran's military capacity' and would necessitate 'more troops,' with three Marine units already en route to the region and further deployments under consideration. This isn't deterrence, it's a prelude to direct aggression. What the mainstream media fails to interrogate is the foundational illegality and
provocation inherent in such a plan. The US has maintained a naval presence in the Persian Gulf since 1949, a consistent projection of force in Iran's immediate vicinity. This proposed takeover of Kharg Island mirrors historical patterns of Western powers seizing resources in the Global South, reminiscent of the 1908 Anglo-Persian Oil Company’s discovery and subsequent foreign control of Iran’s