Iran utilizes a network of islands in the Persian Gulf to project military power, monitor global shipping, and manage its critical oil export infrastructure.

Iran maintains a strategic network of islands near the Strait of Hormuz and throughout the Persian Gulf that serve as vital military and economic hubs. These territories, including Qeshm, Larak, and Kharg, are used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to monitor maritime traffic, host missile infrastructure, and facilitate the nation's oil exports. As the conflict continues, these islands have become focal points for both Iranian defensive efforts and potential U.S. military objectives.

Military Hubs and Strait Control

Qeshm Island, spanning 580 square miles, serves as a primary base for the IRGC, featuring underground tunnels and the capacity to deploy submarines. Its size and proximity to the Iranian mainland make it a difficult target for potential seizure, with experts estimating that a landing operation would require at least 10,000 troops. Nearby, Larak Island has become a critical gatekeeping point, as Tehran requires commercial vessels to navigate a narrow route along its northern coast. Hormuz Island functions primarily as an observation outpost, providing intelligence on the strait, which historically handled roughly one-fifth of global oil and gas shipments. While these islands provide significant tactical advantages, experts note that the IRGC operates as a decentralized network, meaning the seizure of a single island would not necessarily neutralize Iran's maritime influence.

Disputed Territories and Nationalism

The Greater and Lesser Tunb islands and Abu Musa are central to ongoing territorial disputes between Iran and the United Arab Emirates. While the Tunbs were seized by force in 1971, Abu Musa is managed under a 1971 memorandum of understanding that resulted in de facto Iranian control. Beyond their military utility for monitoring foreign activity, these islands hold significant symbolic value, representing Iran's commitment to national sovereignty.

Energy Infrastructure and Economic Chokepoints

Kharg Island is Iran's primary oil export terminal, processing approximately 950 million barrels of crude annually, which accounts for about 90 percent of the country's exports. Experts suggest that seizing Kharg would severely destabilize the Iranian economy, though the operation would be logistically difficult due to the island's proximity to the Iranian mainland and the risk of damaging critical energy infrastructure. To fully disrupt Iran's oil exports, the U.S. would also need to secure the Sirri and Lavan islands, which provide a combined loading capacity of roughly 300,000 barrels per day.