Newsletters
U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Saturday that U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) destroyed every military target on Iran's strategic Kharg Island in what he described as one of the most powerful bombing raids in Middle East history.
Iran warned it would retaliate by destroying U.S.-linked oil and energy infrastructure across the region if its own energy facilities are struck.
"Moments ago, at my direction, the United States Central Command executed one of the most powerful bombing raids in the history of the Middle East and totally obliterated every military target in Iran's crown jewel, Kharg Island," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
"Our weapons are the most powerful and sophisticated that the world has ever known, but, for reasons of decency, I have chosen NOT to wipe out the oil infrastructure on the island," he added.
Trump warned that his decision could be reversed, stating, "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."
Trump added that Iran's military capacity has been neutralized. "Iran has no ability to defend anything that we want to attack—there is nothing they can do about it! Iran will never have a nuclear weapon, nor will it have the ability to threaten the United States of America, the Middle East, or, for that matter, the world!" he stated.
"Iran's military, and all others involved with this terrorist regime, would be wise to lay down their arms and save what's left of their country, which isn't much!" Trump noted.
In a separate post, Trump wrote: "Iran had plans of taking over the entire Middle East and completely obliterating Israel. JUST LIKE IRAN ITSELF, THOSE PLANS ARE NOW DEAD!"
Iran stated on early Saturday that U.S. airstrikes targeted air defenses, a naval base, and airport facilities on Kharg Island, resulting in more than 15 explosions and thick smoke, but did not damage the island's oil infrastructure, according to state-run Press TV, citing a spokesperson from Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters.
The spokesperson warned that any attack on Iran's oil, economic, or energy assets would lead to the destruction of "all corresponding U.S. facilities in the region."
Iran's armed forces, Al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said in a statement cited by Fars and Tasnim news agencies that oil and energy infrastructure belonging to firms that cooperated with the United States would "immediately be destroyed and turned into a pile of ashes" if Iran's energy facilities were attacked.
The announcement was made in "response to statements" by Trump.
Kharg Island, located around 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) off the Iranian mainland in the northern Gulf, handles roughly 90% to 95% of Iran's crude exports, or about 1.7 million barrels per day last year, according to a recent JP Morgan note.
The island is connected by pipelines to Iran's major onshore oilfields and hosts large deep-water terminals capable of loading some of the world's biggest oil tankers, allowing Iran to efficiently ship crude to buyers, particularly in Asia.
JP Morgan warned that a direct strike on the island's oil infrastructure "would immediately halt the bulk of Iran's crude exports, likely triggering severe retaliation in the Strait of Hormuz or against regional energy infrastructure."
Iranian strikes have all but halted maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas normally pass, and have also impacted oil infrastructure in other Gulf states.
The war has sparked chaos in global markets and sent oil prices soaring. Trump recently noted that U.S. Navy escorts for tankers through the strait would begin "very soon."
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
5 min read
