Trump eyes dramatic move to break Iran’s Hormuz blockade

Kharg island

Donald Trump is weighing an audacious military gamble in the Middle East. The US president is reportedly considering a risky ground offensive aimed at smashing Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz — a choke point that has rattled the global economy and sent oil prices surging.

Under the potential plan, US forces could occupy or blockade Iran’s Kharg island. The small but vital island sits just 15 miles off Iran’s mainland and processes around 90 per cent of the country’s crude oil exports.

The idea is simple but explosive. Seize or neutralise Kharg Island, ramp up pressure on Tehran, and force Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to the world’s oil tankers.

The blockade has already caused market shockwaves. Oil and gas prices spiked sharply before easing slightly on Friday, with Brent crude dropping to $108 a barrel after painful rises the previous day.

The surge in prices has been linked directly to Tehran’s refusal to allow oil tankers to pass through the strait. That narrow shipping lane is one of the world’s most critical energy routes.

But the plan carries enormous risks. A ground operation would put US troops directly in harm’s way against Iranian forces positioned around the Strait. Because of that danger, the move is unlikely to be ordered immediately. Military planners reportedly believe more time is needed to weaken Iran’s capabilities first.

“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 Axios.

An official from the Trump administration confirmed the president’s focus on reopening the strait. “He wants Hormuz open,” the official said. The same source made clear that military escalation remains on the table. If taking Kharg Island becomes necessary, they said, “that’s going to happen.”

A coastal invasion is also being discussed as a possibility. But insiders stressed that Trump has not yet made a final decision.

Meanwhile, the president has been venting fury at Western allies over what he sees as their reluctance to help. In a series of posts on Truth Social and remarks to reporters, he blasted NATO members for failing to step in.

“Without the U.S.A., NATO IS A PAPER TIGER!” Trump wrote in one fiery online outburst. He accused allies of refusing to help stop what he called a nuclear-powered Iran.

Now, he said, those same countries are complaining about soaring oil prices while failing to assist in reopening the Strait.

“So easy for them to do, with so little risk COWARDS, and we will REMEMBER!” Trump added.

His criticism came despite earlier comments in which he said the United States did not need help from anyone. At the time, he slammed NATO for what he called its “foolish mistake” in failing to support America.

European leaders have pushed back firmly. A spokesperson for German chancellor Friedrich Merz insisted the conflict was not NATO’s responsibility. “It is not Nato’s war,” the spokesperson said. They added that the US had not consulted allies before the conflict began.

The spokesperson stressed that NATO exists to defend the alliance area. For that reason, they said, the situation was not a matter for NATO or the German government.

Britain has also tried to avoid deeper involvement. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer warned earlier this week that the UK “will not be drawn into the wider war.”

But tensions rose further after Iran issued a warning on Friday. Tehran said allowing US forces to use British bases for strikes would count as “participating in aggression.” Iran warned it would reserve the right to respond. That warning has raised fears the conflict could widen.

Downing Street quickly defended Britain’s position. Officials insisted the government remains committed to avoiding a broader war.

The prime minister’s spokesperson said the UK had not taken part in the initial strikes. “We’re not getting drawn into the wider war,” they said. However, Britain has allowed the US to use certain bases for limited operations. These include RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.

According to officials, those missions are strictly “limited and defensive.” They are aimed at targeting Iranian missile capabilities while attempting to contain the escalating crisis.

For now, the world waits. If Trump chooses to move on Kharg Island, the Strait of Hormuz crisis could enter an even more dangerous phase.

Trump 'considers risky ground offensive to free Strait of Hormuz'