President Donald Trump is weighing a range of military options aimed at breaking Iran’s grip on the Strait of Hormuz, including the possibility of seizing or blockading Kharg Island, a critical hub for the regime’s oil exports.

The deliberations come as the administration looks to stabilize global energy markets following Iran’s disruption of a key maritime passage that carries roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil supply, sending prices above $100 per barrel.

Kharg Island, situated just off Iran’s coast, serves as the backbone of its oil export system, accounting for about 90 percent of the country’s crude shipments and making it a prime strategic target.

Officials say that no final decision has been reached, but a wide range of options remains under consideration, from imposing a naval blockade to launching a broader operation that could involve U.S. ground forces.

“He wants Hormuz open,” one senior official told Axios. “If he has to take Kharg Island to make it happen, that’s going to happen.”

In recent days, the U.S. military has already begun shaping the battlefield. Airstrikes have targeted Iranian military assets on the island while deliberately steering clear of oil infrastructure, a move seen as preserving leverage while weakening Tehran’s capabilities.

Additional forces are also being deployed to the region, including Marine units, as part of a broader buildup designed to provide the president with multiple strategic options.

The growing presence underscores a wider effort to pressure Iran into reopening the vital waterway and returning to negotiations.

Supporters of a more aggressive approach argue that firm action is necessary to halt Iran’s conduct. Senator Tom Cotton said Trump has been “prudent” in keeping all options open, adding that the administration has “mountains of plans” ready in response to Iran’s escalation.

Other Republicans have pushed for even stronger measures. Senator Lindsey Graham has called on the president to “take Kharg Island,” arguing that doing so would strike a major blow to Iran’s primary source of revenue and accelerate an end to the conflict.

Critics, however, warn that such a move carries serious risks. Analysts say that any ground operation could expose U.S. forces to attack and potentially broaden the scope of the conflict.

There is also concern that Iran could retaliate by targeting energy infrastructure throughout the region, tightening supply further and driving prices even higher.

Some experts point to a naval blockade as a less risky alternative, suggesting it could achieve similar results by cutting off access to Iranian oil without requiring a large-scale troop deployment.

The stakes remain high. Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz is widely seen as a desperate move, but one that has already had significant consequences for global markets, American consumers, and U.S. allies.

The administration has framed its approach as accepting short-term economic strain in exchange for long-term stability, presenting the strategy as a necessary stand against a regime that has long threatened international commerce.