The Trump administration is weighing plans to occupy or blockade Iran’s Kharg Island as part of a broader effort to pressure Tehran into reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Axios reported on Friday, citing four sources familiar with the discussions, Anadolu reports. This comes as the White House seeks ways to loosen Iran’s grip on one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes. Trump has reportedly concluded that he cannot bring the conflict to an end on his preferred terms unless Iran’s ability to disrupt traffic through the strait is reduced. In the meantime, global energy prices have continued to climb. Kharg Island, located about 15 miles off Iran’s coast, is a key hub for the country’s oil industry and handles roughly […]
This article was sourced from Middle East Monitor.
Read Full Article on Middle East Monitor →![United States President Donald Trump (L), US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (C) and US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine (R) speak outside the Oval Office of the White House before boarding Marine One en route to Dover, Delaware, on March 18, 2026, in Washington DC, United States. [Celal Güneş - Anadolu Agency]](https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/AA-20260318-40864573-40864560-UNITED_STATES_PRESIDENT_DONALD_TRUMP-1.jpg)
