Iran Fortifies Kharg Island, Warns US-Israel as Tensions Escalate in Strait of Hormuz
Tehran, March 26 (ANI):
Tensions in West Asia have intensified sharply as Iran moves to reinforce its strategic defenses, issuing strong warnings to the United States and Israel while tightening control over critical maritime routes.
According to multiple reports, Iran has begun laying mines and deploying additional troops on Kharg Island, a vital hub that handles nearly 90 percent of the country’s crude oil exports. The move comes amid reports that the United States is increasing its military presence in the Persian Gulf, with discussions reportedly underway about a potential operation to seize the island. The objective, according to sources cited in US media, could be to use the island as leverage to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian officials have acknowledged intelligence suggesting that adversaries may be preparing to occupy one of its islands. Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Iranian forces are closely monitoring all movements and warned that any hostile action would trigger “relentless and unceasing attacks” on the aggressors’ regional infrastructure.
Military preparations on the US side appear significant. Reports indicate that approximately 2,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division are being deployed to the region, alongside two Marine Expeditionary Units—the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group from Japan and the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group from San Diego. These reinforcements could bring total additional personnel to between 6,000 and 7,000, adding to the roughly 50,000 US troops already stationed in the Middle East. The scale of deployment is being compared to some of the largest US military buildups since the Iraq War.
In a parallel development, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a stark warning against any ground invasion. In a statement directed at US and Israeli leadership, the IRGC cautioned against what it described as deceptive war narratives, warning that invading forces would face overwhelming resistance. The statement also claimed that Iranian missile strikes have hit multiple targets across Israel in recent operations and asserted that hundreds of missiles and thousands of drones have been launched since the conflict began.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated Tehran’s firm stance, stating that no negotiations or ceasefire talks are currently underway. He emphasized that Iran will continue its policy of “resistance” in response to what it calls unprovoked aggression, while also expressing skepticism about the reliability of international guarantees.
Meanwhile, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz—one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints—has grown increasingly complex. Reports suggest that Iran has implemented a de facto control system requiring vessels to submit documentation, obtain clearance codes, and transit through a designated corridor under Iranian oversight. However, India’s Shipping Ministry has rejected claims of any formal toll system, reaffirming that international law guarantees freedom of navigation through the strait.
Iran has stated that “non-hostile” vessels will be permitted safe passage, provided they coordinate with Iranian authorities and do not support adversarial actions. Several vessels, including those bound for India, have reportedly transited safely under these conditions.
The escalating situation has raised global concerns. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for an immediate end to the conflict, warning that disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz are severely impacting the movement of oil, gas, and fertilizers at a critical time for global supply chains.
As military posturing intensifies and diplomatic avenues remain stalled, the region faces a precarious moment with significant implications for global energy security and stability. (ANI)
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