The situation in the Middle East has entered its peak phase of a "game of chicken"!
The USS Tripoli amphibious assault group, carrying the 31st Marine Expeditionary Force and F-35B attack helicopters, has been deployed. Another ship, the USS Boxer, carrying the 11th Marine Corps, is en route to the Middle East and has not yet arrived.
It's important to note that the USS Tripoli is a special amphibious assault ship. Its design forgoes traditional landing craft compartments, replacing them with enlarged hangars—a "lightning carrier" specifically designed for F-35B vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.
The 82nd Airborne Division's tactical strengths lie in seizing bridgeheads, targeting key facilities, and high mobility. This indicates that the US military is transitioning from "long-range surgical strikes" to "close-quarters combat control." It can be said that it now possesses the capability to seize and control critical infrastructure within hours.
For example, the oil and gas terminal on Kharg Island, the missile sites on Qeshm Island, or deep-water ports supporting the arrival of subsequent heavy troops.
Kharg Island accounts for approximately 90% of Iran's crude oil exports. If it falls into US control, Iran will completely lose its economic lifeline. In this desperate situation, Iran is highly likely to adopt a scorched-earth policy – if you don't let me sell oil, then nobody else will.
Kharg Island is only about 20 square kilometers in area and less than 40 kilometers from the Iranian mainland coastline. This distance is well within the absolute range of Iran's numerous long-range rocket artillery, drones, and shore-based missiles.
To protect thousands of paratroopers on the island, the US military must deploy expensive air defense systems such as Patriot-3 or THAAD. Iran, on the other hand, can simply continuously launch inexpensive drones or Fateh hypersonic missiles to wear down the US interceptor missiles.
Wouldn't this turn Iran into a sitting duck? Knowing the risks, why show a desire to seize the island?
I think there are likely two strategic considerations here:
1. The US believes that direct escort in the Strait is extremely inefficient, and physical control of Kharg Island is preferable. Although it would face attack, it would seize Iran's most crucial bargaining chip. The US military might use its powerful defense system to withstand the first wave of attack, betting that Iran cannot sustain a protracted war of attrition after losing its oil revenues.
2. The threat of extreme ground warfare. This is a clear message to Iran: "I'm not just going to use airstrikes; I have the capability to end your regime's revenues within 48 hours." The aim is to force Iran to immediately consider returning to the negotiating table.
However, given these risks, I personally believe the US military will not occupy Kharg Island indefinitely, but rather use a swift and decisive strike followed by withdrawal or the establishment of a neutral zone.
If Iran does attack other oil facilities in the Middle East, causing a sharp drop in US stocks, Trump's next move is likely a large-scale release of strategic petroleum reserves and an expansion of the attack range. For example, if you attack Saudi oil fields, I'll attack your power plants and refineries.
In any case, this conflict has already exceeded everyone's expectations before it began.
It's a "game of chicken"—who blinks first...
I definitely hope there won't be any more fighting. Because whoever attacks first will have to take my wallet first.
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