Trump has talked about seizing Iran's Kharg Island. But what would that look like?

NPR | By Steve Inskeep,

Tom Bowman

Published March 20, 2026 at 4:41 AM EDT

President Trump has spoken about taking control of a key location for Iranian oil infrastructure. What would that look like in practice?

Steve Inskeep

Steve Inskeep is a host of NPR's Morning Edition, as well as NPR's morning news podcast Up First.

Tom Bowman

Tom Bowman is a NPR National Desk reporter covering the Pentagon.