Trump says US forces destroyed military targets on Iranian island handling oil exports
Trump says US forces destroyed military targets on Iranian island handling oil exports
On Friday, President Donald Trump declared that U.S. military operations had “neutralized” key defense installations on Iran’s Kharg Island, a strategic hub for oil shipments. He emphasized that the oil infrastructure remained untouched, though he hinted at potential future strikes if Iran or allies disrupted maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. “I have decided not to eliminate the oil facilities on the island,” Trump stated in a social media post. “But if Iran or anyone else threatens the free movement of ships through the strait, I will quickly revise this stance.”
“For the sake of decorum, I have opted to spare the oil infrastructure,” Trump wrote. “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.”
Iranian military officials responded swiftly, vowing retaliation against both Iranian and U.S.-backed energy assets if targeted. Reports from Iranian media indicated that such an attack would prompt coordinated strikes on facilities operated by oil companies aligned with the United States. Kharg Island, situated in the Persian Gulf, serves as Iran’s primary oil export terminal. Until this week, it had avoided strikes by U.S. and Israeli forces, which had focused on other locations in the country.
Earlier in the week, Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, a member of Iran’s parliament, warned that assaults on the islands near Iran’s southern coast could trigger a “complete loss of restraint” by Tehran. The islands are critical to the nation’s economic stability and security, he stressed, highlighting their role in maintaining oil production and shipping routes.
As Trump prepared for a weekend trip to Florida, he addressed media questions during a pre-flight briefing. However, he did not disclose the recent military action targeting Kharg Island. According to Axios, administration officials had been considering the seizure of a 5-mile coral island as part of broader strategic measures. Analysts noted that such strikes could elevate oil prices, which had been climbing since the conflict began on 28 February.
“We may see the $120-a-barrel price we saw on Monday rise to $150 if Kharg were attacked,” said Neil Quilliam of Chatham House. “It’s too vital for global energy markets.”
Meanwhile, a U.S. official confirmed that the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli had been deployed to the Middle East alongside 2,500 marines. The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, based in Japan, had spent several days in the Pacific Ocean, as shown in military imagery. The Tripoli was recently observed near Taiwan, indicating it was still en route to the region. The navy also maintained a flotilla of 12 vessels, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and eight destroyers, in the Arabian Sea.
While the presence of the Tripoli suggests readiness for rapid response, its deployment does not confirm an imminent ground operation. The ship’s role includes securing embassies, facilitating civilian evacuations, and conducting disaster relief missions, according to military reports. This move underscores the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz and the potential for escalation in the region.