United States forces struck targets on Kharg Island, an area vital to Iran’s oil industry, as President Donald Trump presses Iranian leaders to allow for passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
The overnight strikes did not impact the islands oil infrastructure, U.S. and Iranian officials said. But Trump issued an ultimatum after the attack saying he would consider additional actions if Iran continued to block commercial ships from freely moving through the shipping route.
The Strait of Hormuz is key to global trade, where about one-fifth of the world’s oil passes. It’s become a major flashpoint in the war.
“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 said in a statement Friday evening, after the attack.
“I have chosen NOT to wipe out the Oil Infrastructure on the Island. 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.”
Iran warned of retaliation against oil companies working with the United States in the Middle East, should its oil and energy infrastructure be hit.
Kharg Island lies about 15 miles off the coast of Iran in the Persian Gulf and is critical to the nation’s economy. Iran’s energy industry depends on the landmass.
It’s where about 90% of Iran’s crude oil exports are processed and millions of barrels of oil are also stored. Pipelines from some of Iran’s biggest oil fields connect to Kharg.
The island is also vital to the global energy market. Iran produces more than 3 million barrels of oil a day, and is among the top 10 oil producers in the world.
Prior to the attack, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said destroying infrastructure on Kharg island would “cripple Iran’s economy and topple the regime.”
United States Central Command said it hit “more than 90 Iranian military targets” in the overnight strikes, but preserved the islands oil infrastructure.
It posted a video of the “large-scale precision strike” showing bombings of air defenses, a naval base, an airport control tower and a helicopter hangar.
Iranian media reported more than 15 explosions on the island.
The Kharg Island attacks were designed to pressure Iran into reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has effectively blocked passage through the shipping channel during ongoing fighting, and Trump has vowed to restart regular shipments along the waterway.
Trump on Friday, March 13 announced plans to send naval escorts to help commercial ships navigate through the region. Hours after the attacks on Saturday, March 14, Trump said countries would join the United States in sending warships to open the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has threatened to attack U.S. oil interests in the region if its energy infrastructure is damaged in future attacks.
Reuters contributed to this report.