The Story How a US invasion of Kharg Island could play out
Mar 31, 2026
Sir Simon Mayall, retired lieutenant general with 40 years in the British Army, gives military analysis on invading Kharg Island. George Grylls, Washington correspondent for The Times, explains US policy, troop movements and political stakes. They discuss why Kharg matters, how raids or amphibious assaults might be carried out, logistics and risks to forces, and the wider strategic and market implications.
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Kharg Island Is Iran's Economic Keystone
- Kharg Island is Iran's strategic oil hub handling about 90% of its exports and storing up to ~30 million barrels.
- Its capture or destruction would severely damage Iran's economy and ability to fund its nuclear program and proxies, making it a high‑value leverage point.
Negotiations Can Run Parallel To Military Buildup
- The US can pursue negotiations while simultaneously building military options; troop movements create facts on the ground that constrain Iranian perceptions.
- Iran views simultaneous talks and force deployments skeptically, recalling past patterns of negotiation alongside buildups.
Iran's Asymmetric Options Force High Costs
- Iran can wage an asymmetric campaign: small attacks on shipping, missiles or mines can inflict outsized economic damage without matching US conventional power.
- That asymmetry limits the effectiveness of large‑scale US threats and raises costs for any occupation.