Seize Kharg Island, Bomb Pickaxe Mountain: Trump Weighs Major Escalation Options In Iran
Seize Kharg Island, Bomb Pickaxe Mountain: Trump Weighs Major Escalation Options In Iran Published By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 02:17 IST US officials said
Seize Kharg Island, Bomb Pickaxe Mountain: Trump Weighs Major Escalation Options In Iran Published By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 02:17 IST US officials said Trump has discussed occupying other islands near the Strait of Hormuz, including Abu Musa, Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb. US President Donald Trump arrives to speak at the Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit. (Getty Images via AFP) US President Donald Trump is considering expanding American military operations against Iran, with options ranging from intensified airstrikes to possible ground operations targeting key Iranian locations, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. The WSJ reported that Trump has been briefed by senior officials on potential next steps in the conflict and recently held a Situation Room meeting to discuss options including the seizure of Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export hub, and strikes on the heavily fortified Pickaxe Mountain complex, a site believed to be linked to Iran’s nuclear programme. Kharg Island, Pickaxe Mountain Among Options The possible seizure of Kharg Island would give the US control over a strategically important location for Iran’s oil exports and could put pressure on Tehran’s economy.
However, such a move would also expose American forces to attacks from Iranian missiles and drones. US officials said Trump has discussed occupying other islands near the Strait of Hormuz, including Abu Musa, Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb, as part of efforts to secure shipping routes and target Iranian military positions. Another option under consideration is a strike on Pickaxe Mountain, an underground tunnel complex believed to have links to Iran’s nuclear activities. The facility is buried hundreds of feet beneath a mountain, making it more difficult to hit compared with other nuclear sites previously targeted by the US and Israel. Trump has publicly suggested that Pickaxe Mountain could be targeted, saying the US could take action against the site. However, officials said the president has not made a final decision and could still choose a diplomatic path. Trump Seeks Pressure On Tehran The discussions come as Washington and Tehran remain locked in a confrontation after diplomatic efforts failed to produce a lasting agreement. Trump has continued demanding that Iran give up its nuclear stockpile and stop attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
US officials said Trump has asked advisers for options that could force Iran to change its position, though he has also expressed a preference for resolving the dispute through negotiations. A wider US military campaign would mark a major escalation in the nearly five-month conflict and could carry significant risks, including threats to American troops, disruption to global oil markets and deeper involvement in a broader Middle East crisis. Officials said Trump has previously considered some of the most aggressive options but later stepped back from them. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Key Questions Answered What are the risks of US military action in Iran? US military action in Iran carries risks including potential expansion and prolongation of the war, heavy casualties, and wider regional retaliation. Could a diplomatic solution still be reached with Iran? President Trump has indicated that he could still choose a diplomatic path with Iran, despite discussing options for military escalation such as seizing Kharg Island or striking Pickaxe Mountain. How would seizing Kharg Island impact global oil markets?
The BriefWire