President Donald Trump has claimed that Kharg Island has been “obliterated” by US forces after two weeks of conflict with Iran.
Officials say the US struck military-linked sites on the island, located around 25km off Iran’s coastline.
Kharg Island is central to Iran’s oil exports, functioning as the country’s main terminal. Given its strategic value, Iran’s Parliament had previously warned that Tehran would “abandon all restraint” if its islands came under attack.
Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf shared to social media earlier this week:
“We will abandon all restraint and make the Persian Gulf run with the blood of invaders.”
He also issued a further warning, saying “the blood of American soldiers is Donald Trump’s personal responsibility”.
Trump nevertheless announced yesterday (March 13) that the island had been hit.
The president said:
“Moments ago, at my direction, the United States Central Command executed one of the most powerful bombing raids in the history of the Middle East, and totally obliterated every MILITARY target in Iran’s crown jewel, Kharg Island.”
He then said a major part of the island had been deliberately spared.
“For reasons of decency, I have chosen NOT to wipe out the oil infrastructure on the island.
“However, should Iran, or anyone else, do anything to interfere with the free and safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision.”
In a later post, Trump wrote:
“Iran had plans of taking over the entire Middle East, and completely obliterating Israel. JUST LIKE IRAN ITSELF, THOSE PLANS ARE NOW DEAD!”
After Iran moved to block the Strait of Hormuz, more than 1,000 cargo vessels—largely oil and gas tankers—have reportedly been unable to pass through, according to The Guardian. The disruption has contributed to fuel prices rising in the US and elsewhere.
Figures from YCharts show that on March 9 the average price of a gallon of gas reached $3.633, up from $3.148 the previous week and $3.206 a year earlier.
Petras Katinas, an energy researcher at the Royal United Services Institute, said Kharg Island is a crucial revenue source for Iran’s state and military.
“If Iran were to lose control of Kharg, it would be difficult for the country to function, even though the island isn’t a military or nuclear target,” he said, via Daily Mail.
The strike comes shortly after Iran’s new supreme leader said the country intends to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed.
“The lever of blocking the Strait of Hormuz must definitely continue to be used,” Mojtaba Khamenei said in his first national address since being elected to succeed his father.
“Studies have been conducted on opening other fronts where the enemy has little experience and will be extremely vulnerable in them, and their activation will be carried out if the war situation continues and based on the observance of interests.”