Trump Threatens to Obliterate Kharg Island; Iran Denies Direct Talks

Trump warned that if a deal is not reached, US forces would obliterate energy infrastructure and Kharg Island.

“Donald Trump has renewed his threat to “blow up” a range of civilian infrastructure in Iran, including all of the country’s desalination plants, in a move that would threaten the water source for millions of people and that experts say would be illegal”

Al Jazeera

He claimed the US was in serious discussions with a new, more reasonable regime in Iran.

Al Jazeera

Iran denied any direct negotiations, stating contacts were only indirect through intermediaries.

Kharg Island handles roughly 90 percent of Iran's crude oil shipments.

About 20 percent of world oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz.

BBC

Brent crude had risen above $150 a barrel amidst the conflict.

Trump insisted great progress had been made.

Iran's foreign ministry dismissed American proposals as unrealistic, unreasonable and excessive.

Regional mediators played an elevated role in attempts to end the war.

Trump's threat prompted immediate condemnation from legal experts.

International law explicitly bans making civilian sites the object of attack or reprisals.

CNBC

The destruction of energy infrastructure could be seen as economic warfare.