Graham invokes Iwo Jima in call for Trump to ‘take Kharg Island’
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
Senator Lindsey Graham called on President Trump to militarily seize Kharg Island, Iran's primary oil export facility.
AI Summary
Sen. Lindsey Graham called on President Trump to order a military seizure of Kharg Island, Iran's primary oil export facility located roughly 20 miles off Iran's coast, during a Fox News appearance where he invoked the World War II Battle of Iwo Jima as a historical precedent. Graham's remarks suggest an escalation in pressure on the Trump administration's Iran policy, reflecting hawkish sentiment within the Republican caucus on confronting Iranian interests. Kharg Island is critical to Iran's economy as a shipping hub; its capture would severely damage Iran's ability to export oil and generate revenue. The comment appears timed to influence ongoing Trump administration deliberations about Iran strategy, though it remains unclear whether such a military operation is under serious consideration. Graham's invocation of a costly amphibious assault—in which thousands of U.S. Marines died—underscores the scale of military commitment he envisions for the operation.
Source Coverage Map
14 of 43 tracked sources covered this story
Following this story?
Get notified when new coverage appears
Other Sources Covering This Story
5 sourcesMultiple outlets have reported on this story. Compare perspectives from different sources.
Israel vows retaliation after most destructive Iranian attack since war started
This article is part of a story we're tracking:
Should this be getting more attention?
You Might Have Missed
Related stories from different sources and perspectives
National SecurityTrump mulls risky Kharg Island takeover to force Iran to open strait
<p>The Trump administration is considering plans to occupy or blockade Iran's Kharg Island to pressure Iran to reopen the <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/19/strait-hormuz-coalition-allies-statement-uk" target="_blank">Strait of Hormuz</a>, four sources with knowledge of the issue tell Axios.</p><p><strong>Why it matters:</strong> President Trump can't end the war, at least on his terms, until he breaks <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/13/iran-war-mines-strait-of-hormuz" target="_blank">Iran's chokehold</a> on shipping through the strait. In the meantime, global <a href="https://www.axios.com/energy-climate/oil-companies" target="_blank">energy</a> prices are surging.</p><hr><ul><li>But an operation to take over Kharg Island, which sits 15 miles offshore and processes 90% of Iran's crude oil exports, could put U.S. troops more directly in the line of fire.</li><li>Thus, such an operation would only be launched after the U.S. military further degrades Iran's military capa...
GlobalTehran calls Trump's talk claims 'fake news' to reassure markets
Tehran has called Donald Trump's claim of ongoing talks 'fake news' to reassure markets. This comes as the US president tries to get the Strait of Hormuz reopened, whose closure is shaking global markets. FRANCE 24's Philip Turle tells us more about what to know.
PoliticsTrump calls NATO "cowards" over lack of support in Iran war - Reuters
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMimAFBVV95cUxOMkFlM1VHM0txVDRyak1raV9VcnE2N2VvUGtGZ0h2Q3JSbTgzS1FVQ1Y2cGRUS2xBYXFKYmlTRV90d25CM3BTRGlhUG9mUjRldV9hbC1uZEtRY3BBbTY0OWpIQWxZTTFxcXIxZ0h6cGhkZ0FMdXJzWE1MdWotWXJOWktqRmZDcmg4YURseGNDWmx5bC00ZjRMUg?oc=5" target="_blank">Trump calls NATO "cowards" over lack of support in Iran war</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>
PoliticsTrump, Rubio call for new Cuban leaders as latest blackout underscores deepening economic crisis - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMimwFBVV95cUxPNG5rWjJhSEZ2SDJqUFo1czJZVDVxSHNWcUoyNnRNRHJUMUxHTjNrNUR1TVc0Y2VoZFVHcTYyNGFibWZHTXV2UFdocHRUWTByVmdyMWZNSlFkdjViU2xqZmtTNjNLdko3S2kxeEtDNXZLLUFQbGtjaWVxNE12dEJEWXM2RFFWdkdkS0RGVWd0bWw5NkNVZ3NjeGRDYw?oc=5" target="_blank">Trump, Rubio call for new Cuban leaders as latest blackout underscores deepening economic crisis</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
National SecurityMiddle East crisis live: Trump reportedly considering plans to occupy or blockade Iran’s Kharg Island - The Guardian
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi0gFBVV95cUxNUG1oWXgwZHM4d0VnZXAtN0JfbWV2dFFIU0FXejVyZjh4QnB3SGdabWtTQTZmTWxIX0Q4NGdIQlNLRHM2QTFYM0dodTBhWmRQSGhfQ3VFQXNEdzFvZnpYMHI5cHZUTEJGSUV5TkNWc1FSTGcxYXhDd0ZydUVrQi1hTDJQYjB3MWpFTWs0c2xhZDVIZXVTTFk0X0lRc3R0cGZGR0RDSDhSVG94Vzktdzg1dWVjanBYclFncWd6YXJBazVMWU5PT3d0Q0N5eGFwZk9YSmc?oc=5" target="_blank">Middle East crisis live: Israel strikes Tehran; Netanyahu suggests need for ‘ground component’ in Iran war</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">The Guardian</font><strong><a href="https://news.google.com/stories/CAAqNggKIjBDQklTSGpvSmMzUnZjbmt0TXpZd1NoRUtEd2pHdV9qYkVCR2V6bWUwVlpWVC1DZ0FQAQ?hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en&oc=5" target="_blank">View Full Coverage on Google News</a></strong>
National SecurityTrump mulls risky Kharg Island takeover to force Iran to open strait - Axios
California sheriff running for governor seizes more than a half million ballots from 2025 election - CNN
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMif0FVX3lxTFBEMjByeGFrbmFwcTZyamYwcUMyRURkTWVZbURwVU96MEVsdDh5QzZ0TXExRnZTYnJNNm9ZX3dYMHNtaWFTdk9FUEU4bVZYMTg0cGxPVEVralJrOU1NcUhCaDd2MzNVSzRRWktZVjRwWEZqNEY3bGducE9sRGFSOW8?oc=5" target="_blank">California sheriff running for governor seizes more than a half million ballots from 2025 election</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">CNN</font><strong><a href="https://news.google.com/stories/CAAqNggKIjBDQklTSGpvSmMzUnZjbmt0TXpZd1NoRUtEd2o1bWJqZ0VCRzVXalFTRlpRbHVpZ0FQAQ?hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en&oc=5" target="_blank">View Full Coverage on Google News</a></strong>
Did this story change how you see things?
Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.
The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.
See our sourcesMost Read This Week
Fentanyl found inside Barbies sold at Missouri discount store, police say
White House registers new ‘alien’-related .gov domains as DOD tackles Trump’s disclosure directive
Kash Patel admits under oath FBI is buying location data on Americans
US moves to soften capital rules: ‘Big banks can declare mission accomplished’
The West's historic snow drought could bring water shortages, wildfires
