“Iran’s fighting for its survival. It has everything to lose.”

HOW WOULD AMERICAN GROUND FORCES TAKE KHARG?

“If you grab Kharg, you basically have their oil export capability hostage.”

NEED TO BE EXTRACTED FROM THE MIDDLE EAST? CALL YOUR WEALTH MANAGER

“Family offices and high net worth clients are looking for a concierge—one button where they have one phone number, one email and all of these services can be at their beck and call.”

As the conflict with Iran drives evacuation demand across the Middle East, the Financial Times reported on how wealth managers are expanding services to support clients facing evolving security risks, with Global Guardian CEO Dale Buckner noting increased demand for integrated security, logistics, and travel coordination.

He added that Global Guardian has evacuated more than 4,000 people from the region since the start of the conflict, including many clients supported by family offices and wealth managers, with operations spanning ground movements out of the UAE and private charter flights to Europe.

“We’re probably closer to the beginning or middle of this story than we are to the end.”

As the conflict with Iran continues to evolve, CNBC spoke with Global Guardian Vice President of Client Risk Management Seth Krummrich about the escalation indicators organizations should be watching.

Krummrich highlighted several key triggers, including disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, financial actions by Gulf states, and the possibility of a U.S. mass casualty event. Any of these developments could signal a significant shift in the threat environment and materially affect organizations operating in or tied to the region.

He added that for businesses with people or operations on the ground, these indicators may serve as critical decision points for reassessing contingency, evacuation, and continuity plans.

HOW A US ASSAULT ON KHARG ISLAND COULD UNFOLD

“Any operation to seize Kharg Island would be economic warfare—you are fighting in a completely different and more complex space.” 

As the U.S. weighs next steps in the conflict with Iran, the Financial Times examined how a potential operation targeting Kharg Island—the country’s primary oil export hub—could reshape both the battlefield and global energy markets.

Global Guardian Vice President of Client Risk Management Seth Krummrich noted that targeting critical energy infrastructure would extend beyond traditional military objectives into economic disruption, with ripple effects across global markets and regional stability.