Satellite image showing an oil terminal on Kharg Island, Iran, February 25, 2026.
2026 Planet Lab Pbc | via Reuters
US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he has directed US Central Command to carry out bombing strikes against military targets on Iran’s Kharg Island.
“Just moments ago, at my direction, U.S. Central Command conducted one of the most powerful bombing raids in the history of the Middle East, completely obliterating all military targets on Iran’s crown jewel Kharg Island,” the president wrote in a post on Truth Social.
He added: “We have chosen not to wipe out the island’s oil infrastructure.”
“However, if Iran, or anyone else, takes any action that disrupts free and safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision,” Trump wrote.
Less than an hour later, the president posted again on The Truth, saying, “Iran had a plan to occupy the entire Middle East and completely wipe out Israel. Just like Iran itself, that plan is now dead!”
Late Friday, President Trump told reporters before boarding Air Force One for Florida that military action would continue “as long as necessary.” Asked by reporters how long the war would last, he said: “I can’t say that. I mean, I have my own opinion.” He added, “I won’t give you the time, but we are well ahead of schedule.”
Asked by reporters what he meant by “unconditional surrender,” he answered, “For me, it very simply means, whether you can say the words or not, you are in a position of advantage that no one has ever seen before…”
And in a post on Truth Social early Saturday morning, President Trump said, “The fake news media hates reporting on how well the US military fought against Iran. Iran is completely defeated and wants a deal, but it’s not the kind of deal I’m willing to accept!”
Analysts say the possibility of the United States seizing the strategically important Kharg Island, also known as Iran’s “oil lifeline,” is considered an extremely high risk from both geopolitical and economic perspectives.
The eight-mile-long coral island, located about 25 miles off the coast of mainland Iran in waters in the northern Persian Gulf, had been left untouched by nearly two weeks of U.S. and Israeli-led attacks on Iran.
The Trump administration is discussing occupying the island, Axios reported on March 7, citing four anonymous sources familiar with the discussions.
White House officials have previously said they expect oil prices to fall dramatically once Operation Epic Fury ends, but White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt said the president is “wisely” keeping all options on the table.
Khalgh Island has attracted global attention as it is considered one of Iran’s most sensitive economic targets. The terminal accounts for about 90% of the country’s crude oil exports and has a loading capacity of about 7 million barrels per day.
Analysts say attacking or occupying the island would require a ground force operation, something the United States appears reluctant to do. An attack could also prompt a sustained rise in already high oil prices.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has not previously ruled out sending U.S. ground forces to Iran, but has said the U.S. will not get mired in Iran.
on friday, brent crude oil futures It closed above $100 a barrel for the second day in a row, with the world oil benchmark price rising more than 40% since the start of the Iran war.
— CNBC’s Riya Bhattacharjee contributed reporting.
