Reports from global media indicate that U.S. military forces, including special operations units, are being mobilised to the Middle East via maritime and air routes. According to these reports, the United States is purportedly planning to seize certain Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf. In response, on 29 March 2026, Brigadier General Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, issued an official warning: should U.S. forces attempt a landing on Iranian territory or its islands, they would “become good food for the sharks of the Persian Gulf.”
Given the escalating military tensions in the Persian Gulf region, it is essential to analyse the geographical feasibility, potential targets, and likely consequences of a terrestrial U.S. landing in Iran.
From a geographical perspective, the Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf, when ordered from west to east towards the Gulf of Oman, are: (1) Kharg Island, (2) Kish Island, (3) Lavan Island, (4) Sirri Island, (5) Abu Musa, (6) Greater Tunb, (7) Lesser Tunb, (8) Qeshm Island, (9) Hormuz Island, (10) Hengam Island, and (11) Larak Island.
Concurrently, strategically significant islands under the jurisdiction of Arab states in the Persian Gulf include Abu Ali Island, Tarut Island, Bahrain Island, Halul Island, Al Safliya Island, Das Island, Dalma Island, Sir Bani Yas, Saadiyat Island, Musandam Peninsula, and Masirah Island. Any maritime route from these territories to Iranian islands, or to Oman’s Musandam Peninsula, necessarily passes through the Strait of Hormuz.
Historical Context of the Strait of Hormuz
The term “Hormuz” originates from multiple sources. Historically, the Persian commander Hormuz (Hormuzd) ruled during the Sassanian Empire. A notable military engagement, the “Battle of the Chains” (633 CE), occurred under Persian command in Kazima (modern Kuwait), reflecting Persian military traditions of linking soldiers together with iron chains for combat cohesion. From the 11th to 17th centuries, the Kingdom of Ormus (Hormuz) emerged as a major maritime trade centre in the region, contributing to the name’s persistence. Linguistically, “Hormuz” may derive from the Persian term for the Zoroastrian deity Ahura Mazda, regional dialects, or Greek references, illustrating a convergence of historical, linguistic, and political influences.
Geostrategic Importance of the Strait of Hormuz
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway separating northern Iran from southern Oman, with a width of approximately 33 kilometres and a length of roughly 161 kilometres. Navigable channels are restricted to about six kilometres in width. A Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) has been established for maritime vessels: a three-kilometre inbound lane adjacent to the Iranian coast, and a three-kilometre outbound lane adjacent to Oman. Most of both lanes fall within Iranian territorial waters.
Under international law, the Strait of Hormuz is recognised as an international waterway, with sovereignty shared between Iran and Oman. Both countries exercise jurisdiction over waters extending 12 nautical miles from their coasts. Bilateral agreements in 1974 and 2015 have formalised these maritime boundaries. The 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) guarantees the right of “transit passage” for vessels through international straits. All ships have the right to continuous and expeditious navigation, which coastal states cannot obstruct. However, Iran has not ratified UNCLOS, arguing that it is entitled only to “innocent passage” rather than full transit rights. Nonetheless, any obstruction of maritime traffic through the strait is widely regarded as a violation of international law.
Current Military Posture and Strategic Considerations
When approaching the Strait of Hormuz from the Gulf of Oman, vessels must navigate past a series of Iranian islands, including Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, Qeshm, Hormuz, Hengam, and Larak, all heavily fortified and militarised. Among these, Qeshm Island—the largest island in the Persian Gulf—functions as both a major commercial hub and a military centre. The presence of steep coastal mountains further enhances Iran’s ability to control maritime traffic, enabling the destruction of any unauthorized vessels attempting passage.
Since 28 February 2026, in response to repeated U.S. and Israeli aerial and missile strikes, Iran has reportedly closed the strait to foreign vessels, asserting control over maritime traffic and limiting passage even for allied nations, while indicating that friendly states may still transit through with permission. Iran has also established a controlled maritime corridor beyond Larak Island, mandating that vessels seek permission and pay compensatory fees for damages resulting from U.S.-Israeli attacks—measures that contravene UNCLOS provisions.
Despite multiple diplomatic windows offered by the United States to reopen the strait, Iran’s responses indicate a refusal to comply. This has prompted the U.S. to prepare for a potential amphibious assault aimed at securing the Strait of Hormuz to restore regional maritime trade under American strategic interests. Given that the strait is vital for global oil and trade traffic—except for Russia and Caspian Sea littoral states—its closure threatens worldwide economic stability.
*Target Prioritisation for Potential Amphibious Operations*
The islands closest to the Hormuz shipping lanes are of paramount strategic significance:
- **Larak Island** – Situated approximately 0–15 km from the Hormuz lanes, its proximity renders it critically important.
- **Hormuz Island** – Located directly within the strait at 0–10 km from the main shipping lanes, making it a key operational node.
- **Qeshm Island** – The largest island, extending 20–40 km along the strait, serving as a major commercial and military hub.
These three islands provide direct, immediate control over the strait, making them the primary objectives for any U.S. operation. Secondary targets include Hengam Island (30–50 km from Qeshm, home to small fishing communities), Lesser Tunb (70–90 km, contested with the UAE), Greater Tunb (60–80 km, forward strategic position), and Abu Musa (90–120 km, strategic midpoint). All islands possess significant oil, trade, and military value, reinforcing their geopolitical importance.
Conclusion
From a geostrategic perspective, Iran enjoys a highly advantageous position in the Strait of Hormuz. Any potential U.S. amphibious assault would likely focus on the aforementioned islands to secure control over maritime traffic. The combination of military fortifications, topographical advantages, and strategic distribution of islands underscores the complexity and high risk of any such operation. The situation continues to generate significant international concern due to its implications for global energy security and regional stability.
