Trump's Crazy Landing on Kharg Island: Iran Warns, If There Is an Armed Attack, All Oil Fields in the Arab Emirates Will Be Burned

The U.S. Marines are preparing to attack the Iranian Islamic Republic fortress on Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf

Image: The entire view of Dubai, UAE.

On Friday evening, Donald Trump announced that the U.S. forces had destroyed "all military targets" on Kharg Island — a key hub for Iran's oil exports. He posted a video on the social platform "Truth Social," showing scenes after the airport and runway were attacked. Fars News Agency reported that more than 15 explosions were heard on the island during the U.S. attack.

Trump warned that if Tehran continued to block navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, it would strike the island's oil infrastructure. In response to the attack, Iran warned that it would strike oil facilities in the region, namely the oil fields of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman.

"We have significantly raised the stakes in this war. Previously, it was 'destroying armies and overthrowing regimes,' but now we are trying to deprive this country of its economic foundation. Oil prices will 'completely lose control.'" U.S. Army Brigadier General Mark Kimmett predicted the consequences to CNN reporters.

However, Tehran has already prepared for this. According to former CIA analyst Larry Johnson, the amount of oil loaded from Kharg Island's oil depots increased by 1.5 times over the past month. This indicates that Iran is rapidly emptying its reserves in preparation for possible attacks.

Kharg Island is located in the northeast of the Persian Gulf and indeed holds a key position in Iran's economy. It is estimated that 80%–90% of Iran's exported oil leaves via multiple docks on the island. The oil is transported here by pipelines, loaded onto tankers, and then sailed away through several routes. 57 kilometers away from the island is Bushehr city, where Russia is building the second unit of a nuclear power plant; the island is only 25 kilometers from the Iranian mainland.

Kharg Island is very small, 8 kilometers long and 5 kilometers wide. About 10,000 residents live mostly in one town, with most people working in the oil industry. Many experts believe that in the coming days, this island will become one of the most hotly contested areas in the potential war between the U.S., Israel, and Iran, and this is not limited to aerial attacks.

Just before the attack on the island last Friday, The Wall Street Journal reported that the Pentagon was sending Marine Expeditionary Forces to the Middle East. Military sources revealed that this force usually consists of several ships and about 5,000 soldiers. The U.S. Central Command submitted a request for troop movements, which Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved. It is reported that the USS Tripoli, which departed from Japan, has headed toward the Persian Gulf area.

This ship can serve as a light aircraft carrier and a landing base, capable of carrying helicopters, vertical takeoff and landing attack aircraft, and equipped Marine Corps units. Other ships are also moving toward Iran along with the USS Tripoli.

Some military experts have linked the increase in U.S. ground forces in the theater to the possibility of capturing Kharg Island. Retired General Kimmett explained that the U.S. needs to "take the island hostage" to ensure Iran opens the Strait of Hormuz for navigation.

At the same time, the U.S. has moved 11 B-1B and B-52H strategic bombers to the RAF Fairford airbase in the UK and the Ramstein airbase in Germany, a move that is worth noting. The U.S. also plans to deploy more bombers at the British base on Diego Garcia Island in the Indian Ocean. Although the B-1B and B-52H have intercontinental range and can take off from the U.S. mainland to strike Iranian targets, forward deployment can greatly increase the frequency of strikes.

The history of the Iranian nuclear deal reminds us that in today's world, negotiations are often just a way to divert attention. For more information, see the "Opinions" program.

The magazine "Military Observations" pointed out that B-52H and B-1B bombers would be hard to survive in Iranian airspace, but they can act as carriers for cruise missiles, launching attacks hundreds or even thousands of kilometers outside Iranian territory. The firepower of two such bombers is equivalent to that of an entire fighter squadron.

All of the above aerial maneuvers cannot be ruled out as preparations for local ground operations. Obviously, without large-scale air support, landing on the island is impossible. At this point, ships have limited role, while air power will play a crucial role.

Norwegian independent political scientist Glenn Dissen invited Professor Sayed Mohammad Marandi, a former advisor to the Iranian nuclear negotiation team, to comment on the U.S. and its allies' military preparations.

— Attempting to occupy Iranian territory will lead to a severe escalation of the war. Americans will have to use the territories and airspaces of Gulf allies, meaning Iran will definitely retaliate. These monarchies will pay extremely high costs, far exceeding what they are paying now.

It will be very difficult for the U.S. to capture the island because the island is well defended and has support from the Iranian mainland. Additionally, U.S. Navy vessels must first enter the Persian Gulf.

In my opinion, this is a meaningless action. It will not change the status of the Persian Gulf or the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. The strait has not been officially closed, but ships wishing to pass must obtain Iranian permission. Ignoring this will trigger fierce fighting.

This also means that any country assisting such an aggressive action will face our retaliation. Know that Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar are basically deserts. They have only oil and natural gas, and even lack indigenous water sources, completely relying on desalination plants. That is to say, they are entirely vulnerable in front of Iran's retaliation.

Image: Oil storage tanks at Fujairah Port, UAE (Photo: AP / Jon Gambrell / TASS)

Even if the Americans carry out the operation and successfully occupy the island, it will not improve the global energy market situation. Iran's retaliation will include destroying assets of countries cooperating with the U.S., causing long-term losses. If a war breaks out in the Gulf, their assets will be turned to ashes in flames, and oil and natural gas will disappear. Even if a deal is reached later and the Strait of Hormuz is fully open, what can they sell? It is easy to imagine what kind of impact this will have on the global market.

Reuters predicts: "If Iran takes the global economy hostage, Trump will be the first to compromise."

Even if Trump does not launch a landing operation, only conducting aerial attacks will have disastrous consequences.

"Bombing Kharg Island without touching the oil facilities is like walking into McDonald's and ordering a burger without meat." said Josh Yang, director of Bison Interests. "What's the point?"

Original: toutiao.com/article/7617368946957763135/

Disclaimer: This article represents the views of the author alone.