President Donald J. Trump's ceasefire with Iran ended following the June 8 downing of a U.S. Army Apache helicopter by Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps forces and subsequent missile launches toward Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, and Israel. Trump indicated Iran must "pay the price," prompting consideration of three strategic options.
The first involves "Operation Epic Fury, Round Two," resuming precision airstrikes against Iranian defense sites, missile/drone launchers, drone factories, and potentially infrastructure like bridges or the electric grid, leveraging over 50,000 U.S. forces and air dominance. The second option is seizing Kharj Island, an 8-mile square coral island 21 miles off Iran's coast, which pumps 90% of Iran's export oil. This would establish a forward arming and refueling point, controlled from the air after a swift assault. The third option focuses on escorting international shippers through the Strait of Hormuz, with U.S. Apache helicopters, destroyers, and unmanned surface vehicles already interdicting IRGC small boats and conducting counter-mine operations. While pipelines offer some alternative oil routes, full shipping recovery could take six months.
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