Trump rejects Kharg Island seizure plan, feared US losses: WSJ
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- Wall Street Journal reports Trump resisted military proposal to seize Iran’s Kharg Island over concerns about US casualties.
- Officials say he used provocative language to pressure Tehran into negotiations.
US President Donald Trump declined a proposal to deploy American forces to seize Iran’s Kharg Island, a critical energy export hub, amid concerns over potential US troop losses, according to the Wall Street Journal, citing administration officials and people familiar with internal discussions.
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The report says Trump instead leaned on aggressive and often provocative rhetoric aimed at pressuring Tehran into negotiations, while resisting direct military action that could expose US forces to what he viewed as unacceptable risks.
Kharg Island is a central node in Iran’s oil export infrastructure and a strategically sensitive location in the Gulf.
Fear of military casualties
According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump pushed back against operational plans presented by advisers who argued the mission could succeed and potentially give the United States leverage over nearby maritime routes.
Read more: Trump says US blockade of Iranian ports will “remain” if no deal reached
Officials said Trump was particularly sensitive to scenarios involving US troop casualties, reportedly describing soldiers as potentially “easy targets” in such an operation.
The newspaper also reported that Trump’s thinking was influenced by historical comparisons to past US crises, including the 1979 Iran hostage crisis under former President Jimmy Carter, which he has previously cited in conversations with advisers.
Pressure strategy toward Tehran
Rather than authorising ground operations, Trump allegedly favoured a strategy of psychological and rhetorical pressure, including statements officials described as deliberately inflammatory.
The Wall Street Journal reported that some of Trump’s public messaging about Iran, including threats targeting its state structures, was not part of a formal security plan but intended to force political concessions.
One official was quoted as saying the approach was designed to “frighten” Iranian leadership into returning to talks.
Frustration over Hormuz disruption
The report also describes Trump’s frustration over disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz following escalation in the region, which briefly affected global shipping flows and energy markets.
He reportedly expressed anger at the vulnerability of the waterway, which carries a significant share of global oil shipments, and criticised Western allies for what he saw as insufficient support for US efforts to secure maritime routes.
Diplomatic moves and ceasefire context
The Wall Street Journal said internal deliberations in Washington fluctuated between escalation planning and economic caution, particularly amid concerns from energy officials about global price shocks.
According to the report, Trump later instructed his team to explore diplomatic openings with Tehran.
A temporary ceasefire involving the United States, 'Israel', and Iran was reached earlier this month following indirect negotiations, though broader talks have yet to produce a lasting agreement.
The report highlights ongoing tensions between military planning, economic risk, and diplomatic efforts as Washington recalibrates its approach to Iran.
