Trump Labels Kharg Island "The Iranian Crown Jewel" and Strikes Strategic Military Targets

In the early hours of Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a strike on Kharg Island in the northeastern Persian Gulf, confirming the destruction of all military targets on the island in what he described as one of the most powerful air raids in Middle Eastern history.

In a post on his platform Truth Social, Trump wrote: "U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has completely destroyed every military target in the Iranian crown jewel: Kharg Island," warning that the strikes could extend to the island’s oil infrastructure if Tehran continues to block ships from passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran, in turn, warned it would target regional energy assets if the United States or Israel attempted to seize the island, a move that could further escalate tensions in the Gulf.

Strategic Importance

Kharg Island serves as Iran’s primary export hub for crude oil, accounting for approximately 90% of the country’s oil exports through pipelines that transport oil from central and western fields to the island’s maritime facilities. The island hosts a seaport, an airport, a military base, and large oil storage and loading facilities, making it a critical component of Iran’s economy.

Located about 25 kilometers off the Iranian coast, Kharg Island is home to roughly 20,000 residents and spans 8 kilometers of coral land. Its facilities can load up to 7 million barrels onto tankers daily, while daily throughput ranges between 1.3 and 1.6 million barrels of crude oil.