According to the U.S.-based news agency Axios, citing four sources, the Trump administration may be evaluating plans to occupy or blockade Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil hub in the Persian Gulf.
Seizing control of Kharg Island is said to be one of the scenarios being considered by Washington and Tel Aviv as part of a potential ground operation in Iran.
Reports in the U.S. media indicate that the main aim of this plan is to force Iran to lift restrictions over the Strait of Hormuz.
It is noted that more than 90 percent of Iran’s crude oil exports are carried out through this island.
U.S. Deploys marines to the region
The Pentagon has deployed the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, consisting of around 2,200 troops, to the Middle East amid rising tensions with Iran. According to information reported by The Wall Street Journal, this rapid response force will further strengthen the already significant U.S. military presence in the region.
While officials did not provide details about the mission of the troops, the deployment is believed to be aimed at protecting maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and monitoring Iran’s activities.
Meanwhile, earlier reports in the U.S. press indicated that about 2,500 Marines, along with three warships including the USS Tripoli, had also been sent to the region.
16 Iranian ships destroyed in the Gulf
Iranian media reported that in joint attacks by the U.S. and Israel, 16 ships located in southern port cities of the country were targeted. It was claimed that civilian vessels in the ports of Bandar Lengeh and Bandar-e Kong in Hormozgan province were completely destroyed.
New Israeli airstrikes
The Israeli army announced that on the 21st day of the war, it launched new attacks targeting the Nur region on Iran’s Caspian Sea coast. The statement said that “regime targets” were struck.
Energy infrastructure targeted
Attacks on energy infrastructure in the region are also ongoing. In Kuwait, firefighting efforts continue at the Mina al-Ahmadi refinery following a fire caused by Iranian attacks, and it was reported that parts of the facility have been taken out of operation.
Senior Iranian figures killed
Iran confirmed that Revolutionary Guard spokesperson Ali Mohammad Naini was killed, while the Israeli army claimed responsibility for the attack. The Tel Aviv administration stated that Naini was “targeted and neutralized.”
Iranian media also reported that Basij intelligence official Ismail Ahmadi was killed in Israeli attacks.
On the other hand, the Tehran administration claimed that despite the attacks, missile production continues, and military capacity remains intact, contrary to Israeli statements.
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