Six Persian Gulf Islands Could Decide the Next Phase of U.S.-Iran Escalation
U.S. defense officials are weighing a 'knockout blow' against Iran centered on six Gulf islands near the Strait of Hormuz—Kharg, Larak, Abu Musa, Greater and Lesser Tunbs, and Qeshm—through options like seizing ships, blockades, or invading Kharg; while such actions could disrupt Iran’s oil exports and curb its control near the strait, they would be high-risk and could escalate to a broader war without guaranteed Iran de-escalation.