Why these 6 Iranian islands could be crucial to Trump's "final blow" of the war

President Trump is considering military options against Iran centered on seizing six strategic Persian Gulf islands, according to multiple officials and sources familiar with Pentagon planning. The potential targets include Kharg Island, which handles roughly 90% of Iran's crude oil exports, and Larak Island at the narrowest point of the Strait of Hormuz, both heavily fortified positions. Taking and holding Iranian territory would expose U.S. forces to far greater risk than the ongoing aerial campaign, and Iranian Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned Wednesday that any operation to occupy an Iranian island would trigger "relentless attacks" on vital regional infrastructure. The Pentagon is developing these options as potential knockout blows in the war, though military escalation would not necessarily convince Iran to end hostilities and could deepen the conflict instead.