Trump Administration Weighs Kharg Island Seizure as Pentagon Prepares Ground Operation Plans

President Donald Trump has publicly raised the possibility of U.S. forces capturing Kharg Island, Iran's most critical oil export terminal. In an interview published March 30, the President stated that the U.S. has "a lot of options" regarding the facility, which would require a sustained military presence to secure. The remarks follow a series of joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes conducted on March 29 that targeted 29 Iranian ballistic missile launch bases and four production sites. Concurrent with these statements, the Pentagon has begun developing operational plans for limited ground maneuvers involving conventional infantry and special forces. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated these preparations are intended to provide the commander-in-chief with "maximum optionality" in the region. These plans represent a shift toward potential boots-on-the-ground scenarios, though officials have characterized them as short-term operations rather than a full-scale invasion. Amid the escalating rhetoric, President Trump noted that Iran permitted 20 oil-carrying vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz starting March 30. He described the move as "a sign of respect," which may provide temporary relief to global energy markets. However, the prospect of military action against Iran's oil infrastructure continues to drive volatility in the energy sector as the U.S. maintains its maritime pressure campaign.