Kharg Island: A Hot Spot in the Middle East War

The U. S. has been hitting Kharg Island, a key oil hub in Iran’s Gulf coast, during its fight with Tehran. President Trump says the island’s oil facilities were left alone, but he warned that could change if Iran blocks ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The strait is a major oil route; about 20 million barrels a day pass through it, making up roughly one‑fifth of global oil use. Iran has threatened to attack any non‑Iranian ship that sails through the strait, and the U. S. has offered to escort vessels there, but no other countries have joined. Trump posted on Truth Social that U. S. Central Command carried out a massive bombing raid on the island’s military targets. He claims the oil assets were spared, yet he said the U. S. could strike them on short notice if Tehran keeps blocking shipping lanes. In a recent interview, Trump said he could hit the island’s pipelines “in five minutes” and that rebuilding would take a long time. Kharg Island is crucial for Iran’s economy. The island handled 90 % of the country’s oil exports before the war. Its deep waters allow large tankers to dock, unlike much of the shallow Persian Gulf coastline. If U. S. attacks destroyed the island’s oil infrastructure, experts say it would hurt Iran’s economy and raise global oil prices. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, which hold a large share of world oil reserves, could also suffer if Iran retaliates.The GCC has condemned attacks on its members and warned that such actions violate international law. If Iran’s oil supply is disrupted, prices could climb above $150 per barrel, leading to higher gasoline and food costs worldwide. A prolonged war could also shrink the GDP of Gulf countries by 14 %, comparable to the economic hit during COVID‑19. Trump has long considered attacking Kharg Island. In 1988 he said he would strike the island if Iran threatened U. S. interests. Now, as president, he has the power to act. He praised the first U. S. strike that damaged military targets but said he has not yet decided to hit the oil facilities. Trump announced that the U. S. is ready for more strikes, but he has not taken action yet. The future of Kharg Island remains uncertain. If the U. S. attacks again, it could spark a larger conflict and hurt oil markets worldwide. The stakes are high for Iran, the U. S. , and global consumers who rely on steady oil supplies.