New Delhi: US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that US Central Command carried out one of the most powerful bombing campaigns in the history of the Middle East on Kharg Island. In this attack, military bases on this small but strategically important island located in the Persian Gulf were targeted, while the oil infrastructure there was deliberately kept safe.
Trump said that currently no oil-related structures have been damaged, but this decision may be reconsidered if Iran obstructs the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz. After this statement, the discussion on Kharg Island and its oil reserves has intensified at the global level.
Trump’s statement
Trump posted on Truth Social saying, "For reasons of decency, I have decided not to destroy the oil infrastructure on the island,"
He further wrote, "However, if Iran, or anyone else, attempts to hinder the free and safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision."
The attack is being seen as a warning to Tehran that if Iran tries to block the strait, oil reserves could be the next target. Trump calls on members of the Iranian military to lay down their arms and "save your country" Also called for.
What is Kharg Island?
Kharg Island is a small atoll located in the Persian Gulf, with a total area of about 7.7 square miles. It is located about 27 miles off the southwest coast of Iran and about 300 miles from the Strait of Hormuz.
The geographical location of this island makes it very special. Most of Iran’s coastal areas are shallow, where large crude oil tankers cannot easily reach. But due to deep water near Kharg Island, huge tankers can come close to the shore, fill crude oil and leave immediately.
Pipelines from oil fields in the central and western regions of Iran come directly to the island and oil is loaded into ships from loading jetties here.
expert opinion
Hugh Daigle, a petroleum professor at the University of Texas at Austin, said, ABC News reports. "It is one of the few places in Iranian waters where oil tankers can reach. The water is so deep that they can go close to the shore. It is geographically unique and strategically important."
History of Kharg Island
The island was originally founded by the American oil company Amoco. Later, Iran took control of it during the Iranian Revolution of 1979. Since then it has become one of the most important oil export centers of the country.
How much oil is transported?
Under normal circumstances, about 13 lakh to 16 lakh barrels of oil is transported daily from Kharg Island. However, this figure had increased rapidly a few weeks before the current conflict began.
According to data from JPMorgan and energy firm Kpler, Iran transported about 3 to 4 million barrels of oil a day in mid-February. It is believed that in view of the fear of a possible American attack, Iran tried to maximize its exports.
How much oil reserves are there on the island?
According to JP Morgan, additional reserves of about 18 million barrels of oil exist as backup reserves on Kharg Island.
According to data from the US Energy Information Administration, about 20 million barrels of oil were transported per day through the Strait of Hormuz in 2024. Normally, about 10 percent of the total oil passing through this route passes through Kharg Island.
About 80 to 90 percent of Iran’s total oil exports reach the world markets through this island.
What happens if oil plants are destroyed?
For now, Trump has protected the island’s oil infrastructure, but concerns remain about the possibility of an attack on it. According to analysts, if the oil facilities of Kharg Island are damaged, it will directly impact Iran’s economy.
A large part of Iran’s income comes from oil exports, so the destruction of these plants could seriously affect the economic condition of the country.
Apart from this, it can also have a big impact on the global oil market. The Strait of Hormuz is already almost closed and oil prices have reached above $100 per barrel. In such a situation, if the supply from Kharg Island stops, there may be a shortage of oil in the global market and further increase in prices.
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