President Donald Trump has announced that the Military targets on Iran’s Kharg Island, the loading site for most of the Islamic Republic’s oil exports,have been “totally obliterated” by US airstrikes during a historic bombing raid in the Persian Gulf.
“Moments ago, at my direction, the United States Central Command executed one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East, and totally obliterated every MILITARY target in Iran’s crown jewel, Kharg Island,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The island, located about 16 miles off the Iranian coast, is one-third the size of Manhattan and controls 90% of Iranian crude oil exports.
Trump said the island’s oil infrastructure was not targeted but may be hit in future strikes, if the Iranian regime doesn’t allow ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
“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,” the president said.
“However, 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,” Trump warned.
The two-week conflict, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, hadn’t impacted the island — with Iran exporting more fuel than before the war started, according to the Wall Street Journal – until Friday’s strikes.
The US and Israel are both believed to be keen on seizing Kharg at some point in the war, The Post reported earlier this week.
Experts have told The Post that taking control of the oil-critical island could spell doom for Iran.
“Take it out, and this means cutting off the military budget in addition to pulling the plug on the basic services that keep Iranian society functioning,” said Mohammed Soliman, a senior fellow at the DC-based Middle East Institute.
“Losing Kharg for even a few weeks will create a security and societal crisis in Iran at the same time. Tehran doesn’t get to choose which one to deal with first,” said Soliman.
Former administration official John Ullyot added that seizing Kharg and its oil facilities would “cripple the regime.”
Trump, however, downplayed his interest in taking the island in an interview with Fox News Radio host Brian Kilmeade that aired Friday morning.
“It’s not high on the list, but it’s one of so many different things, and I can change my mind in seconds,” the president said.
“Let’s say I was going to do it, or let’s say I wasn’t going to do it. What would I tell you? ‘Oh, yes, Brian, I’m thinking about doing it, let me let you know what time and when it’ll take place.’… It’s sort of a foolish question,” he said.