With talks of a ground invasion of Iran growing louder, reports hint that Tehran is preparing to take on US boots on the ground by laying traps and moving military and air defences to Kharg Island. This comes amid reports quoting US lawmakers stating that the Trump administration is planning a ground operation in Iran, which could “potentially be underway soon”.
Iran is said to possess layered defences in the Kharg Island, its oil hub through which 90 per cent of its oil exports go. In anticipation of the ground invasion, Iran is said to be moving additional shoulder-fired, surface-to-air guided missile systems known as MANPADs there in recent weeks. Besides, it is also laying traps, including anti-personnel and anti-armour mines around the island, including on the shoreline, CNN quoted sources.
This has stoked fears that American lives could be lost if a ground invasion happens. The report quoted an Israeli source, who said taking control of the island would lead to attacks on American soldiers by Iranian drones and missiles. “The hope is that they won’t take that risk and will instead fire at the oil fields, but there is no way to know,” the source added.
Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Adm. James Stavridits believes the situation is worrisome. “Iranians are clever and ruthless. They will do everything they can to inflict maximum casualties on US forces both on the ships at sea and especially once ground troops are anywhere in their sovereign territory,” he added.
Rafael Ordokhanian, a military and political expert who has analysed US-Iran relations, told Iranian media that if the US were to occupy Kharg Island, the Iranian Army would be able to destroy the forces stationed on the island within two hours. Calling the move "pure gambling," Ordokhanian said that this move is nothing more than a gamble.
He emphasised that this island is ultimately part of Iranian territory and that all vital targets on it have been identified in advance and are ready for targeting. According to this military expert, even if American forces retreat, Iranian forces will be able to form combat units and take complete control of the Strait of Hormuz as soon as they enter the island. The American forces will not have enough time to establish effective defensive cover to protect their ground force, he opined.
Russian Military analyst Igor Korotchenko also believe that though the US invasion of the Kharg Island is possible, it would undoubtedly result in heavy casualties for the US military. He added that if the island falls into American hands, the Iranian armed forces and the Revolutionary Guards would be able to target it not only with ballistic missiles and drones, but also with artillery and multiple rocket launcher systems, because the island is very close to the Iranian coast.
The expert also noted that it would be very difficult to approach the island covertly, whether the US uses amphibious ships, helicopters or rotary-wing aircraft. In such a situation, the Iranian army and the IRGC could use a diverse set of weapons, including surface-to-air missiles to engage air targets and unmanned suicide boats to strike naval target.