Significance of Iran’s Kharg Island and US Strikes on Oil Infrastructure

Donald Trump ordered a bombing raid on Kharg Island in Iran, a crucial oil export terminal, but chose not to target the island’s oil infrastructure. Kharg handles 90% of Iran’s oil shipments and has the capacity to load around seven million barrels a day. Hitting the oil infrastructure could lead to retaliation from Iran and a surge in oil prices. Despite the conflict, oil exports from Kharg have continued. The island is critical to funding Iran’s government and military, and if lost, would severely impact the country’s functioning. Speculation about the US seizing Kharg Island has been met with threats from Iranian politicians.

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