The Battle of Kharg: U.S. plans are ready and Iran responds with mines
The issue of Kharg Island dominates reports on the war in Iran, as the United States prepares plans and forces for a possible landing operation, while Iran responds with “mines.”
The network CNN reported that the administration of Donald Trump is considering using U.S. forces to seize this small island, regarded as the lifeline of Iran’s economy, since about 90% of the country’s crude oil exports pass through it, as a means of pressuring the Iranians to force them to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. military had already targeted Kharg with airstrikes on March 13. The U.S. Central Command stated that it struck 90 targets, including “naval mine storage facilities, missile storage bunkers, and many other military sites.”
The strikes carried out by the U.S. military on the island weakened some of its air and naval defenses, which include Hawk surface-to-air missiles and Oerlikon anti-aircraft guns.
Kharg Island’s area is about one third of Manhattan, meaning the United States would need to deploy a substantial landing force to seize it if it proceeds with such an operation, according to a source familiar with U.S. military planning cited by CNN.
Aerial surveillance
Two Marine units specializing in rapid-response amphibious landing operations, raids, and assault missions from amphibious navy ships have recently been deployed to the Middle East.
These units include several thousand Marines, as well as amphibious warships, air assets, and landing craft.
Sources said these units are the most likely to participate in an operation to seize Kharg Island, if it occurs.
It is also expected that about 1,000 U.S. soldiers from the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division will be deployed to the region in the coming days.
Another person familiar with U.S. Army plans said that the Central Command is conducting near-continuous and persistent aerial surveillance of the island, enabling the military to monitor physical and environmental changes.
Iranian movements
Conversely, according to several people familiar with U.S. intelligence reports cited by CNN, Iran has in recent weeks set traps and moved additional military personnel and air defense systems to Kharg Island in preparation for a potential U.S. operation to take control of it.
In recent weeks, the Iranians have transferred to the island shoulder-fired guided surface-to-air missile systems known as MANPADS, according to the sources.
However, Iran’s defenses have not shown a strong reaction during the ongoing war since February 28, and U.S. and Israeli aircraft have not encountered major obstacles in their operations.
Moreover, the sources added, Iran has also laid traps, including anti-personnel and anti-tank mines, around the island, including along the coast, where U.S. forces could conduct an amphibious landing if President Donald Trump decided to proceed with a ground operation.
