The United States has carried out a major bombing raid on Iran’s Kharg Island, hitting military targets while warning that the island’s crucial oil infrastructure could be the next target if Tehran threatens shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
US President Donald Trump said American forces had “totally obliterated every military target” on the island in one of the most powerful bombing raids in the Middle East. Writing on social media, Trump added that Washington had deliberately avoided striking the oil facilities but warned that the decision could change if Iran interferes with the “free and safe passage” of ships in the strategic waterway.
Iran has vowed retaliation, raising fears of wider escalation in a region already critical to global energy supply.
Why Kharg Island matters for Iran?
Kharg Island lies about 25 kilometres off Iran’s southern coast in the Persian Gulf and serves as the country’s main crude export hub. Roughly 90% of Iran’s oil exports pass through the island’s terminals and storage facilities before reaching international markets, with much of the crude currently shipped to China.
Because of this central role, any attack on the island’s oil infrastructure could severely damage Iran’s economy but also send shockwaves through global energy markets. Analysts warn that a shutdown of exports from Kharg Island would likely drive oil prices higher as major buyers seek alternative suppliers.
