How Iran’s Islands Strengthen Its Hold on the Strait of Hormuz
Sources: Vantor (satellite image); International Monetary Fund (shipping routes); Natural Earth (country boundaries). The New York Times The United States has ramped up its forces in the Middle East, even as President Trump has pledged to wind down the war against Iran soon. In recent days, more than 5,000 Marines, paratroopers and special forces have arrived in the region, raising the prospect of a ground invasion. Mr. Trump threatened last week to invade Iran’s main oil export hub, Kharg Island, and “obliterate” its facilities if Iran does not allow shipping to resume through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has essentially closed it off since coming under attack by the United States and Israel a month ago. To get to Kharg Island, U.S. amphibious forces — which experts say would most likely be a part of any ground operation — would have to make their way some 500 miles into the Persian Gulf. “That would be very risky,” said Mark F. Cancian, a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and a retired …



