US forces hit military facilities on Kharg Island off Iran’s coast, with US President Donald Trump warning that Tehran could attack a major oil terminal there if it continues to block the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian officials responded by promising to target US-linked oil infrastructure in the Persian Gulf if that happened.
The tiny island processes 90% of Iran’s crude exports and remained untouched during the first two weeks of the US-Israeli war on the country, which sent oil prices soaring worldwide.
On Friday, Trump announced that the US has “Completely obliterated every military target on Kharg Island, Iran’s crown jewel.” The president said he had not decided to target oil infrastructure this time, but warned “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.”
According to the US military, more than 90 targets were hit on Kharg Island, including naval mine storage facilities, missile depots and other military sites.
However, Iranian state media reported 15 explosions on the island, with attacks targeting air defense systems, a naval base, an airport control tower and a helicopter hangar. The oil terminal will not be affected, it stressed.
On Saturday, Trump reiterated his threat, telling NBC News “We might hit it (Kharg Island) a few more times for fun.”
is vital to Iran’s economy
Attacks on oil facilities represent a major escalation. Despite being only 20 square kilometers in size, Kharg Island plays a critical role in Iran’s economy, handling almost all of the country’s crude exports. The strikes threaten to exacerbate the global energy crisis, with Iran supplying about 4.5% of the world’s oil, according to Reuters.
The oil terminal is located on the outskirts of Haval, 25 kilometers (15 miles) from the coast. It was built by the American company Amoco before the 1979 Islamic Revolution caused a major rift between the US and Iran. The location was chosen because the shallow waters off the country’s coast make it problematic for large tanker ships to access mainland ports.
Pipelines deliver crude from oilfields across Iran to Kharg Island, commonly referred to by the public as “Forbidden Island” Because of tight security around it.
Even though the Strait of Hormuz is closed to ships from other countries, satellite images have shown a terminal on the island working during the conflict as Iran continues to ship oil to China.
Iran once exported 1.5 million barrels per day. However, due to sanctions, deliveries increased during the US and Israeli attacks. According to data from Kpler trade analysts, it began exporting more than 2 million barrels per day, and at times volumes reached 3.7 million barrels.
Kharg Island has an oil storage facility with an estimated capacity of 30 million liters, which is currently about 60% full, Kpler said.
Tehran has warned of retaliation
After Friday’s attack, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) vowed to install oil and gas infrastructure in the Gulf. “On Fire” If hit energy spots on Kharg Island.
On Saturday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghi told MS Now “Our armed forces have already said they will retaliate if our oil and energy infrastructure is attacked. They will strike any energy facility in the region that is owned or partially owned by an American company.”
Is US ground operation possible?
The strikes on Kharg Island are likely to complicate Trump’s plans to keep a friendly government in power in Iran to benefit from its oil sector, as the US has been doing in Caracas since the kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in early January.
Rumors have emerged in recent days that Washington is preparing a ground operation to capture energy infrastructure on the island, fueled by the announcement that a rapid response US Marine unit of about 2,500 troops will be deployed to the Middle East.
Boots on the ground, the US president told Fox News “one of many different things” Considered by his administration. “It’s not high on the list, but it’s one of many different things, and I can change my mind in seconds.” He said.
Trump first talked about the seizure of Kharg Island in 1988. “I’m going to be tough on Iran. They’re beating us up mentally, making us look like a bunch of idiots. One shot hits one of our men or a ship and I’ll do a number on Kharg Island. I’ll go in and take it.” He said at the time.
Military experts warn that ground operations are extremely dangerous business. Even if US forces were able to capture the island, holding it would be problematic due to its proximity to the mainland and its flat surface, which offers no protection from Iranian drones, missiles or artillery.
