The Source with Kaitlan Collins Sources: Iran Building Up Defenses On Kharg Island
Mar 26, 2026
Jamie Raskin, Maryland congressman on Judiciary oversight, and Maggie Haberman, NYT White House reporter and CNN analyst, dig into Iran fortifying Kharg Island and U.S. troop movements. They discuss White House warnings, Bolton’s bold proposals about oil and holding the island, congressional resistance to ground operations, and the diplomatic and military timelines at play.
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Troop Buildup Signals Contingency For High Risk Operation
- U.S. is deploying thousands more troops including the 82nd Airborne and two Marine Expeditionary Units as a contingency for potential operations around Kharg.
- Military experts warn a ground seizure would be high-risk and could produce significant U.S. casualties if ordered.
Target Regime Instruments Not Just Leaders
- Pressure Iran by degrading its military instruments like the IRGC, Quds Force, missiles, and proxies to destabilize the regime.
- Seek alternative Iranian leaders from the regular army rather than negotiating with current regime hardliners, per John Bolton.
Timing and Oil Revenue Are Central Leverage Points
- Bolton argues seizing Kharg earlier would have been more effective when surprise was possible and recommends blocking Iranian oil to cut regime financing.
- He criticizes waiving sanctions and allowing oil sales as mistakes that let Tehran fund operations against U.S. forces.