Retired Air Force Brigadier General Blaine Holt warned during a recent program hosted by Greta Van Susteren that a potential U.S. military operation to seize Iran’s Kharg Island would be strategically significant but highly risky, requiring substantial military resources and careful presidential consideration.
Speaking on the show, Holt stated: “We could take Kharg Island,” he said, adding it “would probably involve a great deal of risk.”
Kharg Island, located in the Persian Gulf, serves as Iran’s primary oil export terminal and a critical node in global energy markets. According to Holt, securing the island would necessitate a large, coordinated military effort involving Marines and sustained air support.
“The only way you’re going to take an island like that is to secure it,” he explained. He noted that Marines already positioned in the region would play a central role.
Holt emphasized that such an operation would depend heavily on achieving air superiority through strikes against Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targets on the island. “You’ll need a lot of air power,” he said. U.S. forces would first have to “soften up or eliminate” IRGC targets.
Additionally, maintaining constant combat air patrols along Iran’s coastline was critical to prevent reinforcements or counterattacks. “Make sure that we have constant combat air patrol over the coast of Iran to make sure nothing goes near that island,” Holt added.
Despite outlining a possible approach, Holt repeatedly stressed the operation’s high risk. “Still, it would be very risky,” he said.
Holt also highlighted Kharg Island’s global significance beyond Iran’s economy, noting its role in energy flows particularly for China. “That represents about 13 to 18% of their oil intake on any given day,” he stated. “So it’s very vital.”
The retired general noted that any decision to proceed would require weighing potential strategic gains against the risk of escalation. “The president would probably be weighing some very tough options if he has to send in the Marines,” Holt remarked.
