Trump: US Obliterated Every Military Target on Iran's Kharg Island

President Donald Trump announced on Friday, March 13, 2026, that the United States had conducted a major bombing raid on Iran's strategically vital Kharg Island.

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Trump claimed the operation had 'totally obliterated every MILITARY target' in what he described as 'one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East.'

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The president made the announcement via his Truth Social platform, stating that US Central Command had executed the operation under his direction.

Trump emphasized that while military installations were destroyed, he had deliberately chosen not to target the island's oil infrastructure, claiming this decision was made 'for reasons of decency.'

However, he issued a clear warning that he would 'immediately reconsider' this decision if Iran or anyone else interfered with the 'Free and Safe Passage of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz.'

The announcement came amid escalating tensions in the Middle East as the US-Israeli war against Iran entered its third week.

Kharg Island holds immense strategic importance as Iran's primary oil export terminal, handling approximately 90 per cent of the country's crude exports.

The small island is located about 25-35 kilometers off Iran's southwestern coast in the Persian Gulf opposite Bushehr province.

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It has a loading capacity of approximately seven million barrels per day, making it one of the most sensitive economic targets in the region.

Its strategic significance grew during Iran's oil boom in the 1960s when it became one of the world's largest crude oil terminals.

According to military analysts, the island represents a major strategic vulnerability for Iran due to its heavy reliance on oil exports.

The facility was previously targeted during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s, and both US and Israeli military planners have long considered it a potential target.

Despite Iran's declaration that it had closed the Strait of Hormuz, analysts suggest Iranian tankers may still be covertly exporting oil using the Kharg terminal.

The bombing of Kharg Island occurred within the broader context of a rapidly escalating Middle East conflict that has already claimed approximately 2,000 lives.

“"I mean, I have my own idea, but what good does it do”

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Most casualties have been in Iran, but significant numbers have also occurred in Lebanon and the Gulf region.

The conflict has sparked global market chaos, with oil prices surging by 40 percent since the US and Israel began their campaign against Iran on February 28.

The United States has intensified its military operations, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announcing that the Pentagon would bombard Iran more heavily on Friday than on any previous day.

According to Pentagon figures, the US and Israel have struck more than 15,000 targets in Iran over the past two weeks.

Israel has conducted 7,600 strikes primarily against Iran's missile program.

Iran has responded with waves of missile and drone attacks on Israel and its Gulf neighbors, including Kuwait, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Oman.

The conflict has also seen widespread evacuations and security alerts across the Gulf region, with Qatar and Bahrain urging citizens to take shelter.

In response to the escalating tensions, the United States is significantly bolstering its military presence in the Persian Gulf region.

According to multiple US officials speaking on condition of anonymity, the Pentagon has dispatched the USS Tripoli amphibious assault ship along with its Marine expeditionary unit to the Middle East.

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The deployment typically comprises several warships and roughly 5,000 Marines and sailors, representing a substantial increase in US military capabilities in the region.

Officials have not confirmed whether the new deployments are specifically aimed at seizing Kharg Island, though media reports have suggested capturing the island was potentially on the table.

When asked about potential plans to take over the vital oil terminal, Trump had previously told Fox News Radio that seizing Kharg Island was 'not high on the list' of priorities.

Trump added that 'it's one of so many different things, and I can change my mind in seconds,' creating uncertainty about US intentions.

Despite this uncertainty, Trump confirmed that the US Navy would begin escorting oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz 'soon' in response to Iranian attacks on commercial shipping.

The international community has responded with concern to the escalating conflict, particularly as the war begins to impact global energy markets and regional stability.

“President Donald Trump said Friday that the U”

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed support for Iran's liberation from what he called a 'Terrorist Regime,' while also accusing Tehran of cooperating with Russia and destabilizing the region.

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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has criticized the US decision to temporarily lift sanctions against Russian oil, arguing that the move could ultimately fuel Russia's war efforts in Ukraine.

The conflict has had significant economic impacts, with Formula 1 races scheduled to take place in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia expected to be canceled due to the fighting.

In Lebanon, the Israeli military has intensified its campaign against Iranian-backed Hezbollah, dropping leaflets over Beirut urging residents to rise up against the armed group.

Israeli strikes have killed medical personnel, including 12 people at a healthcare center in southern Lebanon.

The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health has condemned what it called the 'ongoing violent approach' by Israel against health workers, stating that such attacks 'contradict all international humanitarian laws.'