President Donald Trump announced that the United States conducted major airstrikes on Kharg Island, Iran’s crucial crude oil export terminal, describing the operation as one of the most powerful bombing missions in the Middle East. Posting on Truth Social, Trump claimed the strikes “completely destroyed” the targets and vowed that the U.S. Navy would soon escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz to protect commercial shipping.
Kharg Island, located about 25–30 kilometers off Iran’s coast in the Persian Gulf, handles nearly 90% of Iran’s oil exports, with loading terminals capable of managing up to seven million barrels of oil per day. Developed in the 1960s with foreign investment, the island has long been a backbone of Iran’s energy infrastructure and a key link between its oil fields and global markets.
Despite weeks of airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure during the ongoing U.S.–Israel–Iran conflict, Kharg Island had largely remained untouched—until now. The Trump administration reportedly began exploring new military options around the island in recent weeks, including potential special-forces operations tied to the broader strategy against Tehran.
Trump emphasized that Iran would “never have a nuclear weapon” and warned the Iranian military to lay down arms to save what’s left of their country, underscoring the strategic significance of Kharg Island in the escalating conflict.