PTBP Web Desk
The US Iran Kharg Island strike marked a major escalation in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East as the United States targeted military installations on Kharg Island, a key oil export terminal of Iran.
According to Donald Trump, US forces carried out precision strikes against military targets on the island on Friday. The president said the operation destroyed every identified military target while deliberately leaving the island’s oil infrastructure intact.
Kharg Island plays a critical role in Iran’s energy exports. Nearly 90 percent of Iran’s oil shipments are exported through the terminal, which is located about 300 miles northwest of the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump warned that oil facilities on Kharg Island could become targets if Iran continues to interfere with international shipping routes.
In a social media post, he said the United States would reconsider its decision to spare Iran’s oil infrastructure if Tehran or any other group attempted to disrupt maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
The strait is one of the world’s most important energy transit routes and carries roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments.
Trump also claimed that Iran lacked the capability to defend itself against US military attacks. He urged Iran’s military leadership to abandon its confrontation and warned that further escalation could cause severe damage to the country.
The US Iran Kharg Island strike has contributed to significant volatility in global oil markets.
Energy prices have fluctuated sharply following Trump’s statements about the possible duration of the conflict with Iran. Tensions intensified after Iran reportedly attacked vessels operating in the Strait of Hormuz.
In a separate move, Trump issued a temporary waiver allowing certain purchases of sanctioned Russian oil. The decision drew criticism from European allies who argued that the move could indirectly help Russia finance its ongoing war in Ukraine.
Trump also indicated that the US Navy would soon begin escorting oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz to ensure safe passage for international shipping.
After nearly two weeks of conflict, the war involving Iran has spread across several countries in the region.
Reports indicate that around 2,000 people have been killed, most of them in Iran. However, casualties have also been reported in Lebanon and across parts of the Gulf region.
Millions of civilians have been displaced due to the ongoing hostilities.
Israeli airstrikes have continued in Beirut’s suburbs as the Israel military targets positions linked to Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.
Lebanon’s interior ministry said authorities were struggling to accommodate the hundreds of thousands of displaced people who have sought refuge in the capital, Beirut.
The Israeli military also reported conducting large-scale operations inside Iran. According to official statements, Israeli air forces struck more than 200 targets across western and central Iran within a single day.
These strikes reportedly targeted ballistic missile launchers, air defence systems, and weapons production facilities.
At the same time, Iran launched additional missile and drone attacks against Israel.
Iranian drones were also reported flying over several regional countries including Kuwait, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Oman.
The United States has begun deploying additional military forces to the Middle East in response to the escalating conflict.
Two US officials said the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli would be sent to the region along with a Marine expeditionary unit.
The ship, currently operating in Asia, has the capability to carry fighter jets.
In addition to naval reinforcements, approximately 2,500 additional US Marines and more sailors will be deployed to the region.
Meanwhile, the US military confirmed that six crew members aboard a refuelling aircraft that crashed in western Iraq had died.
The US Iran Kharg Island strike and the broader conflict have increased fears of a prolonged regional war.
For the first time in decades, several Gulf states have found themselves directly exposed to military threats as drones, missiles, and air strikes spread across the Middle East.
With tensions continuing to rise, global markets, energy supplies, and regional security remain under intense pressure.
