Trump Says US Destroyed Military Targets on Iran’s Kharg Island But Not Oil Infrastructure

President Donald Trump said on Friday that he had directed the US Central Command to strike and bomb military targets on Iran’s Kharg Island.

“Moments ago, at my direction, United States Central Command executed one of the most powerful bombing raids in the history of the Middle East and completely obliterated every military target on Iran’s crown jewel of Kharg Island,” the president wrote in a satya social post.

He said he “didn’t want to wipe out the oil infrastructure on the island”.

“However, if Iran, or anyone else, does anything to interfere with the free and safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision,” Trump wrote.

Analysts said the prospect of a US move to seize Kharg Island, a strategically important hub often referred to as Iran’s “oil lifeline”, is considered an extremely high risk from a geopolitical and economic perspective.

The five-mile-long atoll, about 15 miles off the coast of mainland Iran in the waters of the northern Persian Gulf, has been untouched by nearly two weeks of US- and Israeli-led attacks against Iran.

The Trump administration has discussed seizing the island, according to an Axios report on March 7, citing four unnamed sources with knowledge of the discussions.

White House officials have previously said oil prices are expected to drop dramatically after Operation Epic Fury ends, but White House press secretary Carolyn Leavitt said the president would “wisely” keep all options on the table.

Kharg Island has been thrust into the global spotlight as it is considered one of Iran’s most sensitive economic targets. The terminal handles about 90% of the country’s crude exports and has a loading capacity of approximately 7 million barrels per day.

Analysts say any attempt to invade or capture it would require a ground troop operation, which the US is reluctant to undertake. The attack will prompt continued increases to already rising oil prices.

Friday, Brent crude oil futures It closed above $100 a barrel for the second straight day and prices have risen more than 40% since the start of the Iran war.

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