Bengal71
Trusted Member
But Iran doesn't use Chabahar or even Qeshm to disrupt shipping. It can do this by firing drones or missiles from anywhere in Iran. Capturing Qeshm exposes US troops to Iranian fire and is a propaganda win, but I don't see how it helps them open the Strait.
The only possible objective I can foresee is that they plan to use the islands as leverage to force Iran to reopen the Strait (i.e., we will return the islands if/when you open the Strait).
I don't think Kharg is a plausible target. It's too small and deep into the Persian Gulf. And IRI would not hesitate to destroy the oil depots there to harm the US troops. IRI is resilient and can survive with lower oil exports for a while. the US has suppressed air defences successfully in south Iran, though, so they could land in Chabahar.
I just don't see how any form of ground invasion goes well for the US. maybe I'm wrong and Trump has a genius master plan that involves a limited ground invasion for a clear objective and with a clean exit plan, but I doubt it.
Maybe they will take Qeshm Island and stop Iranian oil export through the control of the gulf?














