The United States has launched massive airstrikes on Iranian military installations on Kharg Island, with President Donald J. Trump describing the operation as “one of the most powerful bombing raids in the history of the Middle East.”
According to a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that he directly ordered United States Central Command to carry out the strikes, which he said “totally obliterated every military target in Iran’s crown jewel, Kharg Island.”
Strategic Location:
Kharg Island is the backbone of Iran’s oil export network, handling the vast majority of the country’s crude shipments. Its proximity to the Strait of Hormuz—one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints for global oil supplies—makes it a strategically vital location.
US Position on Oil Infrastructure:
Trump emphasized that the US deliberately avoided striking Iran’s oil infrastructure on the island despite its importance. “Our weapons are the most powerful and sophisticated that the world has ever known, but for reasons of decency, I have chosen not to wipe out the oil infrastructure on the island,” he said.
However, he issued a stark warning to Tehran: “Should Iran, or anyone else, do anything to interfere with the free and safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision.”
Context and Warning:
The strikes come amid escalating hostilities between the US, Israel, and Iran following a series of military confrontations across the Middle East. Trump reiterated Washington’s long-standing position that “Iran will never have a nuclear weapon, nor will it have the ability to threaten the United States, the Middle East, or the world.”
International observers have warned that the attack on Kharg Island—a critical node in global energy markets—could intensify regional tensions and raise serious concerns over potential disruptions to oil supplies and maritime security in the Gulf.
