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US President Donald Trump has also turned his attention to Kharg Island, a major oil export hub for Iran, after announcing the “end” of the long-running ceasefire with Iran and warning that the US is preparing for more conflict.
Speaking on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Turkey on Wednesday, the United States struck Iranian targets in response to a three-tanker attack 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.
More than 60 boats used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were hit, according to US Central Command. Trump said that the US “knocked out 28 boats last night,” probably will hit more later, and confirmed that Kharg Island was attacked before repeating the threat that he has made throughout the war: that the US can seize the island of Kharg, which holds about 90 percent of Iran’s oil supplies.
Here’s what you need to know about the island.
Where is Kharg Island?
Kharg Island is located in the Gulf, about 55km (34 miles) off the coast of Iran in Bushhr province. It is about eight kilometers (5 miles) long and 4-5km (2.5-3 miles) wide, but its location makes it one of the most important parts of the country. The deep waters surrounding the island allow large oil tankers to dock and transport to Asian markets.
He is popularly known among Iranians as “Forbidden Island”, access is strictly controlled by the IRGC; only those with a valid permit are allowed to enter.
Why is Kharg Island so important?
Kharg is the center of Iran’s oil industry.
About 90 percent of Iran’s oil exports go through the island, which carries about 950 million barrels each year. Oil from several offshore fields – Aboozar, Forouzan and Dorood – is brought to Kharg and then transferred via underwater pipelines to international markets, with China being the main customer.
For years, Kharg Island has been one of the most important links between Iran’s economy and international markets, and any major disruption would be a major threat to Iran’s ability to sell oil to the world.
This vulnerability was clearly visible during the crisis The Iran-Iraq War in 1980 when Iraq repeatedly bombed Kharg, temporarily destroying its oil fields, in an attempt to freeze Iran’s oil revenues and reduce its ability to pay for the war.
What has Kharg Island done in the war so far?
Kharg has been active in the debate almost since its inception.
In March, Trump said the US military had struck the island with missiles but had deliberately avoided damaging its oil reserves.
“For reasons of respect, I have decided NOT to remove the Oil Structures from this Island,” he wrote on Truth Social. “However, if Iran, or anyone else, does anything to interfere with the Free and Safe Passage of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will reconsider this decision.”
Since then, he has repeatedly increased his chances of conquering the island. last month, he described taking Kharg as his preferred option, questioning whether the United States has the “stomach for it,” he said, saying he does not want to put a shoe on the ground in Iran.
On Wednesday, he increased the threat after saying that the ceasefire with Iran had collapsed.
What effect would the capture of Kharg Island have on global energy markets?
If exports from the island were to be severely disrupted, Iran would lose the route that handles almost all of its exports. This could remove more oil from the global market at a time when shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is already under pressure.
Markets are already reacting to the recent rise. Brent crude jumped more than 5 percent on Wednesday after Trump’s latest comments, reflecting fears that the conflict could disrupt oil supplies and shipments through the world’s most important corridors. Before the war, about 20 percent of the world’s traded oil and natural gas passed through the Strait of Hormuz.
While warning of another US attack on Iran, Trump said on Wednesday that the country’s oil was not his target.
“We attacked Kharg Island last night,” Trump said, “I said, don’t touch the oil. Because we might take Kharg Island, and we might take Kharg Island. There’s nothing they can do about it.”
However, Trump admitted that oil prices would rise whenever the US attacked Iran.
“Every time we hit Iran, oil goes up a little bit,” he said.
