Kharg Island, located about 15 to 16 nautical miles off the coast of Iran, serves as a critical export hub handling roughly 90 percent of Iran’s crude oil shipments, making it a central node in the country’s energy infrastructure and a key source of revenue.

Trump has publicly suggested the United States could take control of the island to assert influence over Iran’s oil and gas sector, while also acknowledging that a ground operation would be difficult and politically sensitive. In remarks cited by US media, he indicated reluctance to deploy ground troops, while suggesting limited military options could still be considered.

The United States military has already conducted strikes on the island earlier this year, targeting more than 90 military installations, including naval mine storage sites and missile facilities, while reportedly sparing oil infrastructure to avoid long-term economic disruption, according to Central Command assessments cited in reporting.

However, analysts cited by Arab News and Reuters warned that any attempt to physically occupy the island would likely escalate the conflict. Experts from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies said an occupation could prolong the war and fail to deliver a decisive strategic outcome.

Former US Central Command commander Joseph Votel was cited as saying that while a relatively small force could theoretically hold the island, such troops would require extensive logistical support and would remain highly vulnerable to attack.

Iranian officials have reinforced defenses around the island, deploying air-defense systems, mines, and other military assets in surrounding waters. Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that Iranian forces were prepared to respond forcefully to any incursion, including targeting regional infrastructure.

Military analysts also cautioned that any US presence could be exposed to asymmetric tactics, including drone surveillance and propaganda dissemination of battlefield losses, potentially increasing political pressure on Washington.

Despite heightened tensions, Trump has recently indicated a pause in new strikes following what he described as progress in negotiations with Tehran, suggesting that diplomatic channels remain active alongside military signaling.

Koizumi met Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Manila, alongside Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., with discussions expected to include potential transfers of used Japanese naval vessels to the Philippines, officials said.The visit comes as both countries expand security cooperation under a 2024 Reciprocal Access Agreement that allows their forces to conduct large-scale joint exercises.

The pact has enabled Japan to deploy around 1,400 personnel to regularly participate in the annual Balikatan drills alongside US and Philippine forces.Koizumi is scheduled to join representatives from 16 countries observing a key exercise in Paoay, where allied forces will conduct a live-fire drill simulating an attack on a decommissioned warship off the coast. Japanese forces are expected to fire Type 88 missiles as part of the operation.

The drills, involving US, Japanese, Canadian and Philippine forces, are aimed at strengthening interoperability and deterring growing maritime assertiveness by China in the region, particularly in the contested South China Sea.Officials said Japan’s recent policy shift lifting restrictions on lethal weapons exports could allow the transfer of up to six Abukuma-class destroyers to the Philippines, though details remain under discussion.

Before arriving in Manila, Koizumi visited Jakarta, where he signed a defense cooperation agreement with Indonesian authorities, reflecting Tokyo’s broader effort to build a network of security partnerships in Asia.China has criticized Japan’s evolving defense posture, warning against what it described as moves toward militarization, while US and regional allies have welcomed Tokyo’s expanded role in regional security.

Speaking to reporters, Trump acknowledged the difficulty of the task and provided no operational details but indicated that other countries were prepared to assist. “It won’t be easy, we will have that open fairly soon,” he said, adding that multiple nations reliant on the waterway were offering support.

The Strait of Hormuz, which handles roughly 20 percent of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, has seen traffic severely curtailed since Tehran effectively blocked passage following the outbreak of hostilities. The disruption has triggered sharp volatility in global energy markets and raised concerns over supply security.

The conflict escalated after U.S. and Israeli forces launched strikes on Iran on February 28, prompting retaliatory attacks by Tehran on Israel and U.S. military installations in Gulf states. The broader regional confrontation has resulted in significant casualties, mass displacement and sustained pressure on oil prices.Trump has also pressed allies to contribute more actively to securing the waterway.

Following talks with the U.S. president, Mark Rutte urged European governments to provide concrete commitments within days, according to Reuters reporting.A fragile ceasefire announced earlier this week between Washington and Tehran has yet to restore normal shipping flows through the strait.

Separately, the United Kingdom is set to convene another meeting next week involving countries seeking to reestablish safe maritime transit through the strait. The discussions are expected to include senior officials and focus on coordinated diplomatic, economic and potential security measures to ensure passage for commercial vessels.

The meeting follows earlier consultations involving dozens of countries, including foreign ministers and military planners, as governments weigh options ranging from sanctions on Iran to maritime security operations once conditions permit.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said a credible plan is needed to reopen the route and stabilize global trade flows.