U.S. Attacks Iran's Kharg Island Oil Export Hub, Trump Says

The United States launched a major bombing raid on Iran's strategically vital Kharg Island on Friday, March 13, 2026.

“Israel had issued a warning on a Farsi-language X account for people to clear the area shortly before the blast”

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President Donald Trump announced that U.S. forces 'totally obliterated every military target' on the island while deliberately sparing its oil infrastructure.

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Trump described the operation as 'one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East' and claimed the strikes were conducted by U.S. Central Command at his direct order.

The attack targeted military installations including air defense facilities, naval mine storage facilities, missile storage bunkers, an airport control tower, and a helicopter hangar.

However, Trump emphasized that he had 'chosen NOT to wipe out the Oil Infrastructure on the Island' for 'reasons of decency,' though he warned this decision could be reconsidered if Iran interfered with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Kharg Island stands as Iran's most critical energy infrastructure asset, functioning as the primary export terminal for approximately 90% of the country's crude oil shipments.

Located about 25-30 kilometers off Iran's southwestern coast in the northern Persian Gulf, the small 5-mile-long island serves as the backbone of Iran's oil export system and economic lifeline.

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Analysts describe it as Iran's 'crown jewel' and the 'beating heart of Iran's oil industry,' with extensive storage tanks, deep-water loading terminals, and pipelines connecting to major Iranian oil and gas fields.

The island handles roughly 950 million barrels of crude annually and processes about 1.3 to 1.6 million barrels per day, making it essential for Iran's economy which relies heavily on oil exports for revenue.

Despite its strategic vulnerability, Kharg Island has remained largely untouched during previous conflicts until this latest strike.

The strike on Kharg Island has triggered significant market reactions and heightened global energy security concerns, with oil prices surging by over 40% since the U.S.-Iran war began nearly two weeks ago.

“Early in the war, every headline produced an outsized reaction because nobody could price the tail risk”

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Brent crude futures closed above $100 per barrel for consecutive days, reaching levels not seen since 2022, as the conflict has effectively disrupted the Strait of Hormuz through which approximately one-fifth of global oil and gas shipments normally pass.

Analysts from JPMorgan warned that a direct strike on Kharg Island's oil infrastructure would 'immediately halt the bulk of Iran's crude exports, likely triggering severe retaliation in the Strait of Hormuz or against regional energy infrastructure.'

Iranian officials confirmed the attacks but maintained that 'despite the intensity of the blasts, none of the island's oil infrastructure was damaged,' though they reported extensive damage to military facilities.

The global economic impact has been substantial, with Asian nations facing shortages of cooking gas and road fuel, while the U.S. struggles with soaring gasoline prices at two-year highs.

The attack represents a significant escalation in the nearly three-week conflict between the United States and Iran, coming amid heightened regional tensions and military deployments.

Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf had warned earlier that attacks on Persian Gulf islands would cause Iran to 'abandon all restraint,' underscoring how central these territories are to the country's economy and security.

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In response to the Kharg Island strike, Iran has launched retaliatory attacks including missiles targeting Israel and strikes on U.S. assets in the region, with a missile striking a helipad inside the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad.

The Pentagon has reinforced its military presence in the Middle East, deploying the USS Tripoli amphibious assault ship with 2,500 Marines to the region, signaling potential for expanded military operations.

Trump has also announced that the U.S. Navy will 'soon' begin escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz and called on other nations including China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the UK to send ships to help keep the vital waterway open, framing the conflict as an international security concern.