US airstrikes have “totally obliterated” military targets on Iran’s Kharg Island, the loading site for most of the Islamic Republic’s oil exports, according to President Donald Trump’s announcement.
“Moments ago, at my direction, the United States Central Command carried out one of the most powerful bombing raids in Middle Eastern history, completely obliterating every MILITARY target on Iran’s crown jewel, Kharg Island,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The island, located approximately 16 miles off the Iranian coast, is one-third the size of Manhattan and accounts for 90% of Iranian crude oil exports.
Trump said the island’s oil infrastructure was not targeted but may be hit in future strikes, if the Iranian regime doesn’t allow ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
“Our Weapons are the most powerful and sophisticated that the World has ever known, but, for reasons of decency, I have chosen NOT to wipe out the Oil Infrastructure on the Island,” the president said.
“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,” Trump warned.
The two-week conflict, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, hadn’t impacted the island — with Iran exporting more fuel than before the war started, according to the Wall Street Journal – until Friday’s strikes.
The US and Israel are both believed to be keen on seizing Kharg at some point in the war, The Post reported earlier this week.
Experts have told The Post that taking control of the oil-critical island could spell doom for Iran.
“Take it out, and this means cutting off the military budget in addition to pulling the plug on the basic services that keep Iranian society functioning,” said Mohammed Soliman, a senior fellow at the DC-based Middle East Institute.
“Losing Kharg for even a few weeks will create a security and societal crisis in Iran at the same time. Tehran doesn’t get to choose which one to deal with first,” said Soliman.