Kharg Island Targeted
U.S. forces struck more than 90 Iranian military targets on Kharg Island, according to U.S. Central Command. The island is a critical hub for Iran's energy infrastructure. President Donald Trump posted videos of the strikes on Truth Social.
Trump's Statements
Trump said U.S. strikes "totally demolished" much of Kharg Island's oil export hub. He also threatened further strikes "just for fun." In comments to NBC News, Trump questioned whether Iran’s new supreme leader “is even alive." Trump stated on Friday that the U.S. Central Command had "executed one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East."
Iranian Threats
Iran’s military threatened to attack multiple cities in the United Arab Emirates, claiming the U.S. launched its attack from there. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters made the claim. The head of the Iranian parliament’s National Security Commission on Saturday threatened to attack Ukraine, claiming Kyiv had become a “legitimate target” by supplying drone technology to Israel. Ebrahim Azizi justified his warning by citing Article 51 of the United Nations charter.
Island Significance
Kharg Island is located 15 nautical miles off the coast of Iran. Ninety percent of Iran's crude oil is transported through a terminal on the island. Very large tankers, capable of carrying up to 85 million gallons of oil, pick up the oil.
Differing Reports of Damage
Trump said U.S. forces had "obliterated" military targets on the island. However, Iran's Fars news agency, citing sources on Kharg Island, said there had been no damage to oil facilities. The agency reported that only military targets had been destroyed by the U.S. strikes, including air defenses, a naval base, an airport control tower, and a helicopter hangar. Ehsan Jahanian, political deputy to the governor of Bushehr province in southern Iran, said that the process of exporting oil from Kharg was "fully under way."
Potential for Wider Conflict
The U.S. strike on Kharg Island is a major escalation of direct military action against Iran. Military action to destroy the island's infrastructure would be hugely damaging to Iran and would likely send global oil prices soaring.
US Allies
Trump renewed his call on Saturday for other nations to help secure the strait of Hormuz. He said the U.S. will coordinate with them amid the U.S.-Israel war on Iran. Trump called on the UK to send warships to keep the strait of Hormuz open.
If Iran interferes with the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, Trump warned that he will reconsider his decision not to wipe out the island's oil infrastructure.
