On Monday, Esmaeil Baqaei, the spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry, issued a stark warning against any potential U.S. ground intervention, stating that many Iranians are eagerly anticipating the arrival of American soldiers to confront them. This was reported by the EFE news agency.
“In those regions, there are many who are counting the minutes to welcome these individuals,” Baqaei declared during a press conference, in response to President Donald Trump’s repeated threats regarding a possible takeover of Iran's Kharg Island.
The diplomat was unequivocal, adding, “They will see the consequences.”
Kharg Island: A Strategic Hotspot
Kharg Island, located roughly 25 kilometers off Iran's coast, is a critical hub, managing 90% of the country’s oil exports. It has become a focal point in the escalating tensions between the two nations.
President Trump has frequently discussed the possibility of a ground operation to seize control of the island. Last Tuesday, he told Fox News, “If we can sufficiently degrade their capabilities and penetrate their infrastructure, I would do it.”
When directly asked on July 13 if he ruled out deploying ground troops, Trump replied with a definitive “No.”
Escalating Military Actions
Baqaei’s comments come amidst the United States completing its ninth consecutive day of bombings on Iranian territory, striking over 300 military targets since resuming the offensive on July 8.
This new phase of conflict erupted after the Islamabad Memorandum ceasefire, signed in June, was broken when Iran attacked commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on July 6 and 7.
In response, Trump declared the ceasefire over and launched a new wave of massive attacks.
Iran retaliated by targeting U.S. military installations in Kuwait and Bahrain and completely closed the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to fire on any vessel attempting to pass through.
Preparation for Potential Conflict
The Pentagon has developed plans for a potential ground offensive on Kharg, but has repeatedly shelved them due to the high risk involved.
Meanwhile, Iran has bolstered the island’s defenses with portable missile systems, as well as anti-personnel and anti-tank mines at likely landing sites.
Economic Impact in the U.S.
The conflict, which began on February 28, 2026, with “Operation Epic Fury” — a joint offensive with Israel targeting over 500 Iranian sites, including nuclear facilities — is now having direct economic repercussions in the United States. The price of gasoline surged back to four dollars per gallon on Monday, driven by uncertainty over the supply of Iranian crude.
Key Questions on the Iran-U.S. Conflict
What strategic importance does Kharg Island hold?
Kharg Island is vital because it handles 90% of Iran's oil exports, making it a strategic asset in the conflict between Iran and the U.S.
How has the conflict affected the U.S. economy?
The conflict has caused gasoline prices in the U.S. to rise to four dollars per gallon, due to concerns over Iran's crude oil supply.
What triggered the current escalation of military actions?
The escalation began after Iran violated the Islamabad Memorandum ceasefire by attacking commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting the U.S. to resume bombings.