President Donald Trump is setting his sights on Iran’s Kharg island. Trump has raised the prospect of the U.S. taking Iran’s oil, in an interview, and added he’s still considering whether to seize key fuel hub Kharg Island, which is critical to Tehran’s economy.
“To be honest with you, my favourite thing is to take the oil in Iran but some stupid people back in the US say: ‘why are you doing that?’ But they’re stupid people,” Trump told the Financial Times.
“Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don’t. We have a lot of options,” Trump said. “It would also mean we had to be there [in Kharg Island] for a while.”
As per CNN, the U.S. military already targeted Kharg with strikes on March 13, with Central Command saying that 90 targets had been hit, including “naval mine storage facilities, missile storage bunkers, and multiple other military sites.”
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Where is Kharg island?
Kharg Island is a strategically important island located in the northern part of the Persian Gulf, off the coast of Iran. Covering roughly 1,000 hectares, it has long been a central hub for Iran’s oil export infrastructure, making it one of the most economically and geopolitically significant islands in the region. Its location provides direct access to major shipping lanes, giving it critical importance for the transport of crude oil from Iran to global markets.
Kharg Island hosts extensive port facilities, including terminals capable of handling supertankers, storage facilities, and oil-processing infrastructure. Since the 1960s, it has been the focal point of Iran’s oil exports, and it continues to account for a large proportion of the country’s international crude shipments. The island’s oil terminals are operated by the National Iranian Oil Company and are integral to sustaining Iran’s energy revenue.
Due to its economic and strategic value, Kharg Island has also been a point of vulnerability during regional conflicts, including the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s, when it was heavily targeted by air and naval strikes. Its role in global energy markets and its proximity to crucial maritime routes make it a key element in regional geopolitics. Today, Kharg Island remains both a vital energy asset and a symbol of Iran’s presence in the Persian Gulf.
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The island, which handles 90% of Tehran’s oil exports, has long been critical to Iran’s economy.
As per CNN, Trump said Sunday that Iran has agreed to “most of” the 15-point list of demands that the U.S. conveyed, via Pakistan, to end the war.
“They’re agreeing with us on the plan. We asked for 15 things, and for the most part, we’re going to be asking for a couple of other things,” Trump continued.
Kharg Island, as a central hub for Iran’s oil exports, represents more than just local infrastructure, it is a linchpin for Tehran’s economy and a critical node in global energy markets. Any military action or even the threat of control over such a hub can trigger far-reaching consequences, including disruptions to international oil supply, spikes in fuel prices, and heightened geopolitical tensions.