- By Shubham Bajpai
- Thu, 26 Mar 2026 12:04 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The United States is reported to be planning a ground offensive against Iran to take control of the Kharg Island and the Strait of Hormuz, and is buying time to prepare for it under the garb of peace talks. The development has alarmed Tehran, which has warned of harsh repercussions.
In a strongly worded statement, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has cautioned the US, saying, "Don't send your children to hell with the deceit of Netanyahu and Trump. The invading soldiers will be deeply drowned and disappear in the million-strong sea of the Iranian nation," as quoted by ANI.
How is Iran preparing to foil the US's boots on ground mission?
Iran is said to have ramped up its efforts to secure the Kharg island and the Strait of Hormuz. According to a report by CNN, Tehran is laying anti-armour and anti-personnel mines around the island.
Iran is also laying these mines along the shores where the US troops could land to initiate the alleged ground offensive.
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Along with the military personnel, Kharg has been secured by Iran through a layered defence and shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles (MANPADs), which proved effective against Russian incursion into Ukraine in 2022.
Why Kharg matters?
Kharg is a small island in the northeastern Persian Gulf critical for Iran's economy as Tehran handles around 90 per cent of the country's crude exports through it.
The seizure of Kharg could bring Iran to its knees and loosen its grip on the volatile Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively closed by Iran since the US and Israel waged war against it on February 28.
Although Kharg Island is far away from the Strait, at the northern end of the Persian Gulf, it is in the vicinity of Iranian oil facilities.
On March 13, US Central Command (CENTCOM), the US struck Kharg, reportedly hitting 90 targets. These targets included mine storage facilities, missile bunkers, and other military sites.