All signs show that the War with Iran is escalating. If we were to invade Kharg Island, that would be a very serious worsening, but there appears to be another front opening up regarding the Bab el-Mandeb Strait . This is that other choke point ( 20 miles wide ) through which 7% of all oil passes, that connects the Indian Ocean to the Red Sea, leading to the Suez Canal and into the Mediterranean Sea. About 1240 miles southwest of the Strait of Hormuz. Control divided among Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula and Djibouti and Eritrea in the Horn of Africa. Yemen dominates with 43 million people, Eritrea 3.7 million and Djibouti 1.2 million. However, this strait is so important that the U.S., China, France and other countries maintain heavy naval and military presence in Djibouti. Keep in mind that the 12-member Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) holds 80% of the world's proven crude oil reserves. Bab means gate , while Mandeb means grief . ...
Ah, the War with Iran: For the ninth night in a row, the USA bombed Iran. Iran continues to essentially close the Strait of Hormuz, plus, Houthi allies again have indicated that they might block Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the other main oil route . Combine, 27% of world petroleum passes through these straits. I asked Google AI: Will the U.S. invade Kharg Island? As of July 2026, there is no official date or definitive plan announced for a U.S. invasion of Kharg Island . President Donald Trump has publicly floated the idea of seizing the island—which handles about 90 percent of Iran's crude oil exports—but military planners and officials are still weighing the logistical risks and strategic fallout of such an operation. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ] Current Status: Trump has hosted Situation Room meetings to discuss potential ground troop deployments and the possible seizure of energy infrastructure. While no timeline has been set, Trump stated in mid-June that the U.S. will be taking the isl...