US President Donald Trump is weighing several military options against Iran, with a focus on key islands in the Persian Gulf.
The islands are strategically important because of their proximity to the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy chokepoint, and their role in Iran’s oil industry and military defenses. Officials caution that taking and holding Iranian territory would be far riskier than any US action so far in the conflict.
The Pentagon is reportedly developing plans for a knockout blow, which could include ground and bombing operations, multiple sources tell Axios’ Barak Ravid. Options on the table include seizing ships near the Strait of Hormuz or invading specific islands, including Iran’s main oil export hub, Kharg Island.
Kharg Island
Roughly 15 miles off Iran’s coast, Kharg Island handles about 90% of the country’s crude oil exports. The island also contains freshwater resources that help sustain thousands of residents and major infrastructure. Its deep waters allow large oil tankers to dock, meaning a direct hit could quickly disrupt Iran’s oil exports, much of which flow to China.
Invading and holding Kharg, however, would put US forces more directly in the line of fire than the ongoing aerial campaign.
US officials have also discussed a blockade of the island as leverage to convince Iran to cut a deal.
Larak Island
Larak Island lies at the narrowest point of the Strait of Hormuz and is a key point for Iran’s oil exports. Iran uses Larak, which has a network of bunkers and attack craft capable of destroying cargo ships, to monitor and maintain control over the strait.
Seizing Larak could limit Iran’s ability to harass ships and deploy mines in the strait, and possibly help the US break Iran’s chokehold on traffic. However, the island is heavily fortified and would be a challenging target.
Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb
Abu Musa and the Tunbs islands sit near the western entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, between Iran and the United Arab Emirates. Though claimed by the UAE, Iran has forcefully occupied them since 1971. The islands serve as Iranian military outposts equipped with missiles, drones, and mine-laying capabilities.
The Pentagon has reportedly suggested seizing Abu Musa. Speaker of Iranian parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf wrote on X on Wednesday that Iranian intelligence suggests “Iran’s enemies, with the support of a country in the region, are preparing an operation to occupy one of Iran’s islands.”
He added, “If they take any action, all the vital infrastructure of that regional country will be targeted without limitation by relentless attacks.”
Qeshm Island
Qeshm is the largest island in the Persian Gulf, located off Iran’s southern coast near the Strait of Hormuz. The island stores anti-ship missiles, mines, drones, and other attack craft in underground tunnels. According to Al Jazeera, Qeshm is sometimes described as “a cork in the world’s most vital energy transit passage.”
Iran has accused the US of attacking a desalination plant on Qeshm in the early days of the war, disrupting water supplies to local villages, an allegation the US has denied. At about 558 square miles, Qeshm would be a massive target, and there are no signs of a planned occupation.
