Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(135,852 posts)
Wed Mar 25, 2026, 02:13 PM Mar 25

Here's why the US could seize Kharg Island in war with Iran--and why it might backfire

Topline

The U.S. military is reportedly considering sending an Army combat brigade to Iran, possibly to assist in a takeover of Kharg Island—a key oil hub for Iran that President Donald Trump is eyeing as a major target, though the strategy comes with significant risks that could drive oil prices higher.

Key Facts

The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday the Pentagon issued a written order to deploy the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division of about 3,000 soldiers to the Middle East, citing two unnamed U.S. officials.

The report comes a day after The New York Times reported the possibility of the Army combat deployment, which could help seize Kharg Island, according to unnamed defense officials who noted the troops are from the 82nd Airborne’s “Immediate Response Force” capable of being dispatched anywhere within 18 hours.

-snip-

What Are The Risks Of Invading Kharg Island?

Attacking the island’s oil infrastructure could severely damage Iran’s economy, but it comes with significant risks, including the potential for American casualties, more retaliatory attacks by Iran on other Persian Gulf states and the potential to drive up global oil prices even further, plus there’s no guarantee it would force Iran to reopen the strait. Sending ground troops anywhere in Iran is also widely unpopular with the American public—a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found just 7% support a large-scale ground war, but 65% believe Trump will move forward with a ground operation anyway. Trump told reporters recently he’s “not putting troops anywhere,” but added, “if I were, I certainly wouldn’t tell you.”

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/news/here-s-why-the-us-could-seize-kharg-island-in-war-with-iran-and-why-it-might-backfire/ar-AA1ZjnOO
9 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Here's why the US could seize Kharg Island in war with Iran--and why it might backfire (Original Post) Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Mar 25 OP
Gee. What could go wrong? Kid Berwyn Mar 25 #1
His ego. He can't back down on himself now. underpants Mar 25 #2
Doubling Down on Zero Manifests Nobody and Nothing Good Kid Berwyn Mar 25 #4
Well at least they'll have the element of surprise leftstreet Mar 25 #3
Krasnov is going after Kharg Island gab13by13 Mar 25 #5
And if they blow up all production facilities after/as our boys land Captain Zero Mar 25 #9
Iran has almost 1,000,000 ground forces? pwb Mar 25 #6
With Krasnov we must think outside the box, gab13by13 Mar 25 #7
Yep Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Mar 25 #8

Kid Berwyn

(24,438 posts)
1. Gee. What could go wrong?
Wed Mar 25, 2026, 02:14 PM
Mar 25

A lot more than Trump, Hegsbreth, Bibi and Putin are capable of taking into account.

underpants

(196,580 posts)
2. His ego. He can't back down on himself now.
Wed Mar 25, 2026, 02:18 PM
Mar 25

He just can’t. His minions on Fox and X can create whatever reality they want (including ignoring things) and the cult will eat it up.

Kid Berwyn

(24,438 posts)
4. Doubling Down on Zero Manifests Nobody and Nothing Good
Wed Mar 25, 2026, 02:30 PM
Mar 25

The cult consists of immensely sorry dipshits who look up to an imbecilic traitor as king. His brain resembles the insides of an empty lard vat/grease tank. With no apparatus for critical thought, no functioning memory bank, no moral or ethical basis, just a consuming lust for gold and the memories of his trafficked wife's old Victoria's Secret catalogue.

leftstreet

(40,767 posts)
3. Well at least they'll have the element of surprise
Wed Mar 25, 2026, 02:20 PM
Mar 25


They've been jabbering about Kharg Island so long now, people are probably checking it out on Trip Advisor for restaurants

gab13by13

(32,360 posts)
5. Krasnov is going after Kharg Island
Wed Mar 25, 2026, 02:43 PM
Mar 25

and several other Islands nearby, likely this weekend, any time after the stock market closes.

This is why Lyndsey Graham talked about Iwo Jima, Krasnov wants the photo op of American troops planting the US flag on Kharg Island.

This will devastate Iran economically; it will make it like a cornered rat with nothing to lose. Iran may blow up all of the oil tanks and chemical tanks if it loses the island to the US.

Captain Zero

(8,909 posts)
9. And if they blow up all production facilities after/as our boys land
Wed Mar 25, 2026, 03:07 PM
Mar 25

Will they blow up all our boys too?
And will we be allowed to bring the bodies back?

Trump hasn't thought through the optics of this.
I guess he's counting on the obedient media to not report it.

pwb

(12,695 posts)
6. Iran has almost 1,000,000 ground forces?
Wed Mar 25, 2026, 02:43 PM
Mar 25

The entitled people running our country never think of consequences. They never had to.

gab13by13

(32,360 posts)
7. With Krasnov we must think outside the box,
Wed Mar 25, 2026, 02:46 PM
Mar 25

Malcolm Nance had a Saudi security expert on his show who said that he heard that Saudi Arabia and the UAE paid Krasnov a lot of money to invade Iran.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Here's why the US could s...