US President Donald Trump said the US military carried out a major bombing raid on Iran’s Kharg Island, a strategic hub for the country’s oil exports, while warning that Iran’s oil infrastructure could be targeted if maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is threatened.
In a social media statement early Saturday, Trump said US Central Command (CENTCOM) had conducted one of the most powerful bombing operations in the region’s history, claiming that all military targets on the island were destroyed.
He added that the United States had chosen not to strike the island’s oil facilities, but warned that the decision could change if Iran or other actors interfere with the safe passage of ships through the critical waterway.
Kharg Island, located about 30 kilometres off Iran’s mainland, handles roughly 90% of Iran’s crude oil exports, according to analysts, making it one of the most strategically important locations for the country’s energy sector.
The island has long been considered a cornerstone of Iran’s oil infrastructure, particularly since its development during the country’s oil expansion in the 1960s and 1970s, when much of Iran’s coastline was too shallow for large oil tankers.
The conflict has already severely affected maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route through which around one-fifth of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas supplies normally pass.
Trump also said the US Navy would soon begin escorting oil tankers through the strait in an effort to ensure safe navigation and stabilize energy exports amid rising tensions and soaring fuel prices.
Source: TRT Africa
