U.S. and Iranian officials said the overnight attack did not affect the islands’ oil infrastructure.
As President Donald Trump pressures Iranian leaders to allow passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the US military has struck targets on Kharg Island, a key area for Iran’s oil industry.
U.S. and Iranian officials said the overnight attack did not affect the islands’ oil infrastructure. But after the attack, President Trump issued an ultimatum that he would consider further action if Iran continued to block commercial ships from freely moving through the shipping lanes.
The Strait of Hormuz is a key point for world trade, with approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil passing through it. It became a major flashpoint in the war.
President Trump said in a statement Friday night that after the attack, “U.S. Central Command carried out 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.”
“I have chosen not to wipe out the island’s oil infrastructure. However, if Iran or anyone else takes any action to disrupt free and safe shipping navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision.”
Iran has threatened retaliation against oil companies working with the United States in the Middle East if its oil and energy infrastructure is hit.
What is Kharg Island?
Kharg Island is located approximately 25 miles off the coast of Iran in the Persian Gulf and is an island of vital importance to the country’s economy. Iran’s energy industry is land-based.
About 90% of Iran’s crude oil exports are processed here, and millions of barrels of oil are also stored here. Pipelines from some of Iran’s largest oil fields connect to Kharg.
The island is also important to global energy markets. Iran produces more than 3 million barrels of oil per day, making it one of the top 10 oil producing countries in the world.
Ahead of the attack, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said the destruction of Kharg Island’s infrastructure would “paralyze Iran’s economy and bring down its regime.”
What did America attack?
U.S. Central Command said it hit “more than 90 Iranian military targets” in night strikes, but maintained oil infrastructure on the islands.
It posted a video of a “massive precision attack” showing bombings of air defense facilities, a naval base, an airport control tower and a helicopter hangar.
Iranian media reported that there were more than 15 explosions on the island.
Will this attack escalate the war?
The attack on Khalg Island was aimed at pressuring Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has effectively blocked passage through the shipping lane as the fighting continues, and President Trump has vowed to resume regular shipping along the route.
President Trump announced on Friday, March 13, plans to send a naval escort to support commercial ships sailing through the region. Hours after the attack on Saturday, March 14, President Trump said countries would send warships to the United States to open the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has threatened to attack U.S. oil interests in the region if energy infrastructure is damaged in a future attack.
Reuters contributed to this report.
