President Trump Evaluates Military Takeover of Iran’s Kharg Island to Force Reopening of Hormuz

The US is evaluating a military takeover of Iran's Kharg Island to force the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, according to senior Axios sources.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 20, 2026, 12:52 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Times of Israel

Strategic Targeting of Iran’s Economic Arteries

Internal discussions within the White House have turned toward a potential military intervention on Kharg Island, a critical infrastructure hub that processes the vast majority of Iran's oil exports. Sources familiar with the matter indicate that the administration is weighing an occupation or a total naval blockade to exert maximum pressure on Tehran. By targeting the source of nearly all the regime's crude oil processing, the United States aims to create an economic ultimatum that would force a reversal of the current maritime blockade in the region.

The Push for an Unrestricted Strait of Hormuz

The primary objective of the proposed operation is the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a global shipping lane currently held under Iranian control. A senior administration official emphasized that the President is committed to restoring freedom of navigation, even if it requires a direct coastal invasion. While a final decision on the escalation has not been authorized, the rhetoric from within the executive branch suggests that the physical seizure of Iranian territory is now a viable tactical option on the table to resolve the ongoing maritime standoff.

The Necessity of a Massive Ground Presence

A takeover of Kharg Island would represent a significant shift in the scale of the current conflict, likely requiring a massive deployment of U.S. ground troops. Military analysts suggest that holding such a strategic asset would necessitate a sustained "boots on the ground" presence to defend against Iranian counterattacks and manage the technical infrastructure of the oil terminals. This potential move would mark the most significant expansion of the ground war since the start of the current military campaign, moving beyond aerial and naval strikes into direct territorial control.