Amid the latest skirmish between the United States and Iran, President Donald Trump has threatened to seize Kharg Island. Located in the northern Persian Gulf, Kharg Island provides Iran’s key energy storage and embarkation station, enabling approximately 90% of its oil exports. American seizure of the Island would cripple the Iranian regime’s ability to generate revenue. It would thus grant massive leverage to the U.S. with which to demand Iranian concessions on its nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz.

There are, however, two major obstacles to any military operation focused on Kharg Island.