Donald Trump is said to be considering a risky ground offensive aimed at dismantling Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which has wreaked chaos on the global economy and sent oil prices spiralling.
Under the plan, the US military would occupy or blockade Iran’s Kharg Island, a crucial transport hub 15 miles from the country’s mainland, which processes 90 per cent of Iran’s crude oil exports, in order to pressure Iran to reopen the Strait, Axios reported.
Oil and gas prices retreated on Friday after Thursday’s painful cost spikes, with Brent crude dropping to $108 da barrel. The surge in prices is a direct result of Tehran’s refusal to allow the world’s oil tankers to pass through the strait.
But an American ground operation would put US troops directly in the line of fire, so it is unlikely to be ordered until Iran’s heavy military presence around the strait is degraded further.
“We need about a month to weaken the Iranians more with strikes, take the island and then get them by the balls and use it for negotiations,” one source told the outlet.
An official for the Trump administration added that the US president “wants Hormuz open”.
They added: “If he has to take Kharg Island to make it happen, that’s going to happen. If he decides to have a coastal invasion, that’s going to happen. But that decision hasn’t been made.”
Mr Trump has voiced his frustration with Western allies for what he perceives as their lack of assistance in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, through several posts on Truth Social and barbed remarks to reporters.
“Without the U.S.A., NATO IS A PAPER TIGER!” he said in his latest furious tirade online.
“They didn’t want to join the fight to stop a Nuclear Powered Iran. Now that fight is Militarily WON, with very little danger for them, they complain about the high oil prices they are forced to pay, but don’t want to help open the Strait of Hormuz, a simple military maneuver that is the single reason for the high oil prices,” he added.
“So easy for them to do, with so little risk COWARDS, and we will REMEMBER!”
It comes despite Mr Trump’s claims that the US does “not need the help of anyone” earlier this week, as he lashed out at the military alliance for its “foolish mistake” in failing to come to America’s aid.
“It is not Nato’s war,” a spokesperson for German chancellor Friedrich Merz had declared. “Nato is an alliance to defend the alliance area. The United States did not consult us before this war, and so we believe this is not a matter for Nato or the German government.”
Sir Keir Starmer also warned earlier this week that the UK “will not be drawn into the wider war”.
.jpeg)
Avoiding direct involvement may become more difficult, after Iran on Friday issued a warning that it considers allowing US forces to use British bases to launch attacks on Tehran as “participating in aggression”, adding that it had a right to respond.
In response, Downing Street defended the government’s “clear position”, and insisted the UK is “not getting drawn into the wider war”.
The prime minister’s official spokesperson said: “So our position is very clear. We didn’t participate in the initial strikes, and we’re not getting drawn into the wider war.
“We have authorised the US to use our bases for a specific defensive and limited purpose in response to Iran’s continued and outrageous aggression, and we’ve always said that this is the best way to eliminate the urgent threat and restore a path to diplomacy.”
The UK has allowed the US to use bases, including RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, to launch and prepare “limited and defensive” missions targeting Iranian missile capabilities.
Starmer allows Trump to use British bases for strikes to help reopen Strait of Hormuz
UK lets US use British bases to strike Iranian sites targeting Strait of Hormuz
Trump issues executive order requiring CFP to avoid broadcasting conflicts with Army-Navy game
Federal prosecutors seek to dismiss charges against Louisville officers in Breonna Taylor's killing
Iran-US war: UK allows Trump to use bases to strike targets in Strait of Hormuz
Ukraine helping five countries defend themselves from Iran attacks
