U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. military had carried out heavy bombing of military targets on Iran’s oil export hub, Kharg Island, and warned that the island’s oil infrastructure could also be targeted if tensions escalate.
According to AFP and Reuters, Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social: “United States Central Command carried out one of the most powerful bombing operations in Middle East history, completely destroying all military targets on Kharg Island, the crown jewel of Iran.”
“I chose ‘not’ to destroy the island’s oil facilities. However, if Iran or any other force interferes with the safe passage of ‘freedom of navigation’ through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider,” Trump added.
The United States and Israel had previously approached Kharg Island cautiously. However, officials in the Trump administration reportedly said that as fighting in the Middle East continues, the possibility of seizing the island has also been considered.
Kharg Island lies about 30 kilometers off Iran’s mainland. According to a recent memorandum from JPMorgan Chase, the island handles about 90 percent of Iran’s crude oil exports.
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Experts say any action against Kharg Island could carry significant consequences.
JPMorgan said: “A direct strike would immediately disrupt most of Iran’s crude oil exports and could very likely trigger severe retaliatory actions in the Strait of Hormuz or against regional energy infrastructure.”
