Irans Qeshm Island home to secret underground missile facility

US-Israeli Forces Deploy to Qeshm Island Amidst Iran Conflict

A strategic island in the Strait of Hormuz has become a focal point in the US-Israel war on Iran. Qeshm Island, approximately 1,445 square kilometers in size, is situated at the entrance to the strait and dominates the energy transit passage. The island’s unique geography allows it to physically control access to the strait.

The island’s residents, numbering around 148,000, primarily Sunni Muslims who speak the Bandari dialect, live amidst ancient natural beauty and modern military tensions. Their lives are still dictated by the sea, which is celebrated during the “Nowruz Sayyadi” (Fisherman’s New Year) festival.

On March 7, US air strikes targeted a critical desalination plant on the island, cutting off fresh water supplies to surrounding villages. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps responded with strikes against US forces at the Juffair base in Bahrain, alleging the attack was launched from a neighboring Gulf state.

Qeshm Island has become Iran’s “unsinkable aircraft carrier,” boasting a modern industrial facade and serving as the primary platform for Iran’s naval power. Analysts describe it as an underground “missile city” housing striking Iranian capabilities designed to control or close the Strait of Hormuz.

Shipping traffic through the strait was effectively halted last week when Iran threatened to strike ships attempting to pass. Only a handful of ships carrying vital oil and gas supplies are being allowed through, as countries scramble to negotiate deals with Iran for their own tankers.

The island’s history dates back to ancient times, with references in Greek explorer Nearchus’ accounts and Islamic geographers’ descriptions. It has been known by various names, including Jazira-al-Ṭawila (the Long Island). The island’s strategic importance remains a topic of discussion among military experts and analysts.

The US administration is attempting to assemble a naval convoy to forcibly open the waterway, while countries negotiate with Iran for access to tankers. As tensions escalate, Qeshm Island serves as a reminder of the geological fortress of the strait, anchored in the turbulent tides of history.

Source: Al Jazeera