President Trump announced in a Truth Social post on June 11 the intention for the U.S. to “take Kharg Island” along with other crucial Iranian oil infrastructure. This statement arises as tensions between the U.S. and Iran, ignited jointly by the U.S. and Israel on February 28, intensify.
During a Fox News interview, President Trump expressed uncertainty regarding America’s willingness to undertake operations aimed at seizing the Iranian island. Despite previous U.S. military actions on March 13 claiming to have “obliterated” military targets on Kharg Island, the island remains strategically important. Located just 20 miles off Iran’s northern Gulf coast, Kharg Island is a vital hub for Iranian oil exports.
Kharg Island is significant for its role as the main oil export terminal in Iran, historically handling 85–95% of the country’s crude exports. Tankers load on Kharg before traveling through the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. Destruction of the island’s facilities would almost immediately cripple Iran’s oil export capabilities. Given that oil revenue, especially from sales to China, is a major source of funding for Iran, strikes on its oil infrastructure would likely cause global oil prices to surge further—already up 30% since the onset of the conflict.
Iran has already limited traffic through the Strait of Hormuz due to attacks on shipping and Gulf states. However, U.S. strikes on Kharg and the threat of further actions highlight a tactic to pressure Iran financially. National security analyst Aaron MacLean stated that President Trump has leverage over Iran, which relies heavily on the key shipping lanes of the Strait of Hormuz as 20% of the world’s oil transits through this passage.
“The president has linked the vulnerability of Kharg Island to Iran’s continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz,” MacLean noted.
Historically, Kharg Island has been a focal point during conflicts, such as the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s when it was frequently bombed by Iraq. Despite damaged facilities, Iran continuously repaired the island’s export capacities. Today, Tehran has strengthened Kharg’s defenses, infrastructure, and storage, planning for sustained attack scenarios.
If Kharg Island faces serious threats, Iran might retaliate on multiple fronts. Potential actions include targeting U.S. bases in the Gulf, increasing militia attacks in Iraq, and threatening vessels in the Strait of Hormuz using fast boats, mines, and drones. Iran’s Houthi allies in Yemen also present a risk through threats to attack shipping in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. On June 1, an Iranian news outlet aligned with the Revolutionary Guard Corps reported the activation of fronts, hinting at potential Houthi assaults on commercial vessels.