Trump says US forces destroyed military targets on Iranian island handling oil exports
Trump declares US military actions obliterated key targets on Iranian oil hub
On Friday, President Trump declared that U.S. military operations had “completely destroyed” defense facilities on Iran’s Kharg Island, a critical node for oil shipments. He emphasized that the decision to target the island’s military infrastructure did not include damaging its energy facilities, though he warned that such a move could be reconsidered if Iran disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Kharg Island, situated in the Persian Gulf, serves as the main gateway for Iran’s oil exports. Until this week, it had remained untouched by U.S. or Israeli strikes. The move came as Trump prepared to depart for Florida, where he addressed reporters aboard Air Force One without mentioning the operation directly.
“For reasons of decency, I have chosen NOT to wipe out the Oil Infrastructure on the Island,” Trump stated on social media. “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 officials quickly responded, vowing retaliation. A parliamentary speaker warned that assaults on the island’s facilities would trigger broader strikes against U.S.-aligned energy infrastructure in the region. “Attacks on these islands would cause Iran to ‘abandon all restraint,’” said Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, highlighting their strategic and economic importance.
Meanwhile, U.S. military movements underscored the operation’s scale. A senior official confirmed that 2,500 marines and the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli had been dispatched to the Middle East. The Tripoli, currently operating near Taiwan, is part of a broader naval presence that includes the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and eight destroyers in the Arabian Sea.
Analysts noted that targeting Kharg could disrupt global oil markets. Neil Quilliam of Chatham House predicted prices could rise from $120 to $150 per barrel if the island were struck. “It’s too vital for global energy markets,” he added, stressing the island’s role in international trade.
Experts also highlighted the flexibility of the deployed forces. While the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit is capable of land invasions, its primary mission includes securing embassies, evacuating civilians, and supporting disaster relief. The presence of amphibious ships like the Tripoli does not confirm an imminent ground campaign, according to military imagery released this week.
Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
