Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said Iran has no intention of holding talks with the US and that communication with the US through third parties "does not mean negotiation" is taking place, adding that Iran's policy is "continuing resistance".Davis said that capturing the island is "a significant gamble" that Trump might take as "the negotiation path seems dead in the water"."Certainly, the Americans and the Israelis can continue with airstrikes on Iranian targets, like missile systems and so forth It would have to be a negotiating tactic," Smith said."Trump might see it as a way of trying to force the Iranians to unblock the Strait of Hormuz, saying, 'we will hold onto Kharg Island for as long as you block the Strait'."On Sunday, Trump threatened to bomb Iran's "power plants, starting with the biggest one first" if access in the strait wasn't fully restored within 48 hours, but then he said he has postponed the strikes for five days, announcing the country has had "strong talks".On Thursday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that if Iran "fail to understand that they have been defeated militarily and will continue to be, President Trump will ensure they are hit harder than they have ever been hit before".Davis said if the US were to seize Kharg Island as a negotiating tactic, the move might start a new chapter in the war."From the Trump administration's perspective, they're running out of options because the continued air operations are not forcing the Iranians to open up the Strait of Hormuz," he said."I think that they are probably going to be forced to consider a ground incursion, but ultimately it may not work