Arabic → English transcript

through which about one third of the world’s oil exports pass. Controlling it

would have meant being able to put pressure on Iran and on our allies,

and even on Russia and China if necessary. Trump was planning to turn the

island into a permanent military base, radar stations, helicopter landing pads,

weapons depots, and strategic relay points. Everything was prepared to

secure the area completely, and to control

the movement of commercial and military ships.

He believed that having a base there would strengthen America’s position

in the Gulf, and put direct pressure on Iran. Our plan was clear,

and according to the intelligence we had obtained, the operation had

to be precise and swift.

We were supposed to lower our soldiers on ropes from the helicopters,

secure the oil facilities,

and establish control before the Guards Corps could move,

but the reality was completely different.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps was Extremely alert.

They sensed our presence a few minutes before our forces landed,

and spread out inside the island in an organized way,

as if they knew our every move in advance.

The result was a well- executed ambush at the oil tanks,

where a brief clash broke out.

We were unable to secure the vital passages inside the island,

and the helicopters were flying at low altitude, unable to intervene for

fear for our soldiers’ safety. Quite simply, we were not

prepared for such an engagement.

The repercussions of the operation were not limited to the military side.

A few hours later,

there was a partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz,

which affected the movement of oil tankers and American warships. Global oil prices

rose significantly,

and we were forced to recalculate all our plans in the region.

The island is not just a military target,

it is a pivotal element in the global economy and in energy security,

and it was clear that any operation on it would not come without a price.