President Donald Trump has announced that U.S. forces carried out a major airstrike targeting military sites on Kharg Island, a strategic hub for Iran’s oil exports in the Persian Gulf.
In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump said the operation—conducted under the direction of United States Central Command—“totally obliterated” all designated military targets on the island during what he described as one of the most powerful bombing raids in Middle East history.
Kharg Island, located roughly 16 miles off Iran’s coast, is a critical energy facility that handles about 90 percent of the country’s crude oil exports. Despite the scale of the strike, Trump said U.S. forces deliberately avoided targeting the island’s oil infrastructure.
“Our weapons are the most powerful and sophisticated the world has ever known,” the president said, adding that he chose not to destroy the oil facilities “for reasons of decency.”
However, Trump warned that the decision could change if Iran interferes with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil transit routes. “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,” he said.
The strike marks a significant escalation in the two-week conflict known as Operation Epic Fury, which had not previously affected Kharg Island. According to reporting by The Wall Street Journal, Iran had continued exporting oil at increased levels despite the ongoing hostilities until the latest air raids.
Strategic analysts say control of Kharg Island could severely impact Iran’s economy and military capacity. Mohammed Soliman, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, noted that the island plays a vital role in funding Iran’s government and military operations.
“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,” Soliman said.
Former administration official John Ullyot also said seizing the island and its oil facilities would likely “cripple the regime.”
Despite the strategic importance of the site, Trump appeared to downplay any immediate plans to capture Kharg Island during an interview with Brian Kilmeade on Fox News radio.
“It’s not high on the list, but it’s one of many things,” Trump said, adding that decisions on further action could change quickly as the conflict evolves.
