- By Ajeet Kumar
- Thu, 26 Mar 2026 12:45 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
- US considers ground operation on Iran's Kharg Island.
- Iran deploys forces, lays mines for defense.
- Escalation threatens global oil supply, impacts India.
The United States is beefing up its ground presence in the Persian Gulf with a possible aim of taking over the key Kharg Islands in Iran, CNN reported on Wednesday, citing its sources. It has now been revealed that the Iranians have started laying mines and moved additional forces to the Island. The reports of potential escalation came at a time when the world is already facing the worst energy crisis, with India also bearing the brunt.
According to reports, the US could launch a ground operation on the Kharg Island, an area which handles roughly 90 per cent of Iran’s crude exports. In response, Tehran has also been laying traps, including anti-personnel and anti-armour mines around the island, where US troops could possibly stage an amphibious landing.
The Trump administration has been weighing using US troops to seize the island and use it as leverage to get them to open the Strait of Hormuz.
Kharg Island handles the bulk of Iran’s oil exports, and any sustained damage could remove a significant volume of crude from global supply. That would immediately tighten markets and push up international oil prices.
Where is Khrag Island?
Kharg Island is a continental island of Iran located in the northern Persian Gulf, about 25-30 km off the Iranian coast and 660 km northwest of the Strait of Hormuz.
Why is Kharg Island crucial?
Iran, a major energy exporter, has been facing economic sanctions since Trump pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal during his first term. Despite this, it remains a key player in the oil market. Now, Kharg Island is crucial as it is the primary maritime oil export terminal, handling up to 90 per cent of its oil exports.
How would the Kharg Island incursion be disastrous for India?
For India, which imports nearly 90 per cent of its crude needs, the impact would be direct and unavoidable. Even without buying a single barrel from Iran, Indian refiners would be forced to pay more as benchmark prices rise.
The bigger concern, however, lies in the risk of escalation. Iran could retaliate by targeting or threatening shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow but critical chokepoint through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes. A disruption here would not just be a price story, it could become a supply crisis. India sources a large share of its crude from Gulf producers like Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, all of which rely on this route.
Higher crude prices would quickly translate into increased fuel costs domestically. Petrol and diesel prices could rise, adding to inflationary pressures at a time when food and logistics costs are already sensitive. The ripple effects would extend to cooking gas, fertilisers, and transportation, amplifying the burden on households and businesses alike.
(With inpts from agency)