US President Donald Trump is weighing the possibility of seizing Iran’s offshore oil hub Kharg Island, Axios reported, citing US officials familiar with the discussions. Such a move would require a ground operation, the outlet added.
Kharg Island is a small coral reef island in the northern part of the Persian Gulf, off the coast of Iran. Although only 20 square kilometers, it plays a crucial role in the Iranian economy. Responsible for processing around 90% of the country’s crude exports, the tiny island has a major oil storage facility with an estimated capacity of around 30 million barrels.
According to sources cited by Axios, the option of seizing Kharg Island is being considered if tankers in the Persian Gulf are effectively blocked and regional oil exports are disrupted.
In late February the US and Israel launched coordinated attacks on the Islamic Republic, prompting Iran to launch retaliatory strikes across the region. The escalating crisis has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, which holds about a fifth of the world’s daily oil and gas supply. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned that ships from countries it considers hostile will not be allowed to transit the strait. The developments have pushed global crude prices up nearly 50% to around $120 a barrel.
A source told the outlet that as long as the blockade remains in place and restricts shipments from the region, Trump “He wouldn’t be able to end the war even if he wanted to.”
A senior White House official told Axios that Trump has not made a final decision on seizing Kharg Island, adding that the president is weighing both possibilities. “Great Risks” And “Great rewards.” However, the official emphasized that Trump “It’s not going to wait around and let the Iranians dictate the pace of the conflict.”
On Saturday night, Trump said US forces had “Every military target obliterated” On the island, they are all claimed to have been destroyed. The IRGC said no oil infrastructure facilities on the island were damaged.
Sources told Axios that Trump is currently working on creating a coalition to unblock the Strait of Hormuz, with an announcement expected in the coming days. Over the weekend, the US president and senior administration officials reportedly held related discussions on the issue.
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