Iran has warned the United States of severe consequences if it attempts a ground invasion of Kharg Island, a strategic oil hub in the Persian Gulf that handles about 90 percent of the country’s crude exports.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran would respond if Washington moved ahead with any such plan after reports that Donald Trump was considering wider military escalation against Iran.

Baghaei said there are people in the country “counting down the minutes to welcome” American troops and added, “They will face the repercussions. There are numerous people in those very regions who are eagerly awaiting their arrival.”

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The empire’s lifeline

Kharg Island, located about 55 kilometers off Iran’s Bushehr province, is central to the country’s energy system. The island’s deep-water terminals allow large crude carriers to dock, making it the primary export point for Iranian oil.

It is a crucial national asset, being the “anchor” of Iran’s energy sector.

The warning from Tehran came amid mounting tension over the island’s role in any future escalation, given that any disruption there could directly affect Iran’s oil exports and its wider economy.

Washington weighs its next move

The Iranian warning followed reports that Washington is reviewing a broader offensive campaign against Tehran.

Military options under consideration include intensified airstrikes and possible ground operations targeting key Iranian sites, including Kharg Island and the fortified Pickaxe Mountain complex, which is believed to be linked to Iran’s nuclear program.

Trump, in a Fox News interview on July 14, said he would consider a ground campaign “if it seems appropriate” and later added, “If we weaken them deeply and strongly enough, I will do it.”

Neither side appears inclined to blink

Iranian-American academic Seyed Mohammad Marandi said Tehran had spent decades preparing for a US ground invasion and had dispersed its arsenal underground to withstand sustained air attacks.

Marandi said Iran had introduced a “new missile” and claimed the country was “prepared for a land war.” He also said Tehran believed a land invasion would favor Iran.

The latest exchange adds to a fast-moving confrontation in which both sides have raised the stakes publicly, even as the military and diplomatic risks around Iran’s strategic infrastructure continue to grow.

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FAQs

Q1: Why is Kharg Island important to Iran?

Kharg Island is Iran’s main oil export terminal, handling the vast majority of the country’s crude oil shipments.

Q2: Why did Iran warn the US against invading Kharg Island?

Iran said any US ground invasion of Kharg Island would face a strong response, warning of serious repercussions for American forces.