US President Donald Trump has shifted his focus again to Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export hub, after declaring that the interim ceasefire with Iran is “over” and warning that the US is preparing further attacks.
He spoke on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Turkiye on Wednesday, after the United States launched strikes on Iranian targets in response to attacks on three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
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“I’m giving them a little warning. We’re going to hit them hard tonight,” Trump told reporters.
According to U.S. Central Command, more than 60 boats used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) were damaged. President Trump said the United States had “knocked out 28 boats” last night and said there would likely be more attacks in the future, acknowledging that Kharg Island had been attacked, before repeating a threat he had made throughout the war: The United States could seize Kharg Island, which handles about 90% of Iran’s oil exports.
Here’s what you need to know about the island.
Where is Kharg Island?
Kharg Island is located in the Gulf, approximately 55 km (34 miles) off the Iranian coast in Bushehr province. Although it is only about 8 kilometers (5 miles) long and 4-5 kilometers (2.5-3 miles) wide, its location makes it one of the country’s most strategically important territories. The deep waters surrounding the island allow giant oil tankers to dock and load crude for Asian markets.
It is widely known among Iranians as the “Forbidden Island,” and access to it is strictly controlled by the Revolutionary Guards. Only those with official security clearance will be allowed entry.
Why is Kharg Island so important?
Kharg is the center of Iran’s oil industry.
Approximately 90% of Iran’s crude oil exports pass through the island, which handles approximately 950 million barrels annually. Oil from several offshore fields, including Abuzar, Forzan and Drud, is brought to Kharg and transported via underwater pipelines to global markets, with China being the largest customer.
Kharg Island has been the single most important link linking Iran’s economy to global markets for decades, and any major disruption to it would be a major blow to Iran’s ability to sell oil to the world.
This vulnerability was exposed during the 1980 Iran-Iraq war, when Iraq repeatedly bombed Karg, temporarily damaging the oil terminal, in an attempt to cut off Iran’s oil revenues and weaken its ability to finance the war.
What role has Kharg Island played in wars so far?
Mr. Kaag was concerned about conflict almost from the beginning.
President Trump said in March that the U.S. military attacked military facilities on the island but intentionally avoided destroying oil infrastructure.
“For common sense reasons, I have chosen not to wipe out the island’s oil infrastructure,” he wrote on Truth Social. “However, if Iran, or anyone else, takes any action that disrupts the free and safe navigation of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision.”
Since then, he has repeatedly raised the possibility of occupying the island. Last month, he adopted the Kharg as his preferred option, but questioned whether the United States had “the mettle,” adding that he remained reluctant to put military boots on the ground in Iran.
On Wednesday, it reiterated that threat after saying the ceasefire with Iran had collapsed.
What impact could the occupation of Kharg Island have on global energy markets?
A serious disruption to exports from the island would mean Iran would lose access to a route for almost all its crude oil exports. That would remove significant amounts of oil from the global market at a time when shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is already under strain.
Markets are already reacting to the recent escalation. Brent crude soared more than 5% on Wednesday after President Trump’s recent comments, reflecting concerns that fighting could further disrupt oil supplies and transportation through one of the world’s most important energy corridors. Before the war, about 20 percent of the oil and natural gas traded around the world passed through the Strait of Hormuz.
President Trump warned of further U.S. attacks on Iran, but said Wednesday that the country’s oil was not a target.
President Trump said, “We attacked Kharg Island last night. I told them to stay out of the oil, because we might take Kharg Island, we might take Kharg Island. There’s nothing they can do about it.”
However, President Trump acknowledged that oil prices rise every time the United States attacks Iran.
“Every time we attack Iran, oil goes up a little bit,” he said.
