Iran signals severe response to any U.S. military action targeting Kharg Island.
Tehran – Iran has issued a stark warning to the United States, declaring that any attempt to conduct a ground operation or seize its Kharg Island oil hub could prompt Tehran to block the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital artery of global trade.
According to a source linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, any U.S. military action would trigger responses “that would double the cost of American operations,” the New York Post reported. Bab el-Mandeb connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, through which nearly $1 trillion in global trade passes annually. Any disruption could severely impact international supply chains and oil shipments.
Reports indicate that Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen have signaled their readiness to support operations in the strait if necessary. The Houthis have previously targeted vessels connected to Israel in the Red Sea, underscoring the risk of escalation.
Meanwhile, the U.S. is reportedly boosting its military presence in the Middle East, preparing to deploy approximately 3,000 troops, although President Donald Trump has not confirmed immediate plans for a ground assault. Kharg Island, responsible for nearly 90% of Iran’s crude exports, remains central to Tehran’s economy, making any attack a direct economic threat.
Iran’s previous closure of the Strait of Hormuz had already disrupted maritime traffic and caused a spike in global oil prices, highlighting the strategic leverage Tehran wields over international shipping lanes.
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