In recent days, tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran have further escalated, with the failure of U.S.-Iran negotiations shifting the main focus to the security of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s increasing ability to pressure energy and transportation routes in the strait, along with rising military activity in the region, has created serious concerns in global energy markets. The growing U.S. military presence and signals of support from Gulf countries indicate that military operations could expand in the coming days.
Political analyst Ahmad Shahidov stated on ARB24 Television’s “Agenda” program that ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz requires the United States to prioritize control over key strategic islands: “Larak, Kharg, Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Qeshm islands are not merely geographical locations but core elements of Iran’s defense architecture. In particular, the concentration of Iran’s major oil reserves on Kharg Island significantly increases its strategic importance. Therefore, it is highly likely that U.S. ground operations would begin with these islands.”
Ahmad Shahidov emphasized that the process will be highly challenging: “Iran has made serious preparations to defend these islands, and any ground operation could evolve into a prolonged conflict. Even with elite forces such as Delta Force and U.S. Marines, capturing and especially holding these islands would be extremely difficult. Iran will continue to strike these positions from the mainland and may deploy naval mines. Moreover, support from Gulf countries to the U.S. could trigger Iranian retaliatory strikes against them, further expanding the масшibe of the conflict.”
