US-Iran War: Kharg Island Under Attack? Explosions near major oil hub – ‘Iranian tanker hit’, ‘no smoke’ | Today’s news
Several explosions were heard near Iran’s main oil hub Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf on Saturday, according to Iranian media. However, their origin was unknown, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.
The report claimed its correspondent heard explosions but that no smoke was visible, while the SNN news agency claimed “an Iranian tanker was targeted by the US” near the island.
State-affiliated Nournews said there were unconfirmed reports from local sources that an Iranian tanker had been targeted by a missile fired by US forces off Kharg.
Iranian authorities did not immediately officially announce the news.
Further details are awaited.
Why is Kharg Island important?
Kharg Island is located in the northern part of the Persian Gulf, just 20 miles off the coast of Iran. US space agency NASA says Kharg Island is a rocky limestone island. It is unique because it is one of the few islands in the Persian Gulf with fresh water that has collected in porous limestone.
According to the Council on Foreign Relations, the island is known as the “Forbidden Island” due to its role as a critical energy center. This small coral island is said to be Iran’s lifeline as most of Iran’s oil flows through Kharg Island. The island has long been key to Iran’s economy.
Kharg Island is Iran’s primary oil export terminal in the Persian Gulf, NASA explains. The small island in the Persian Gulf provides roughly 90% of the country’s oil exports.
It handles most of the country’s oil shipments, most of which go to Asia — mostly China, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.
A declassified CIA document from 1984 described the Kharg Island oil facilities as “the most important in Iran’s oil system”. The document states that oil facilities on Kharg Island are extensive.
US targets Kharg Island
The United States has repeatedly threatened to attack Iran’s Kharg Island, a critical oil hub for the Islamic Republic.
Since the start of the war on February 28, the US struck Kharg Island for the first time on March 13. The area later became a target in April when US Vice President JD Vance appeared to confirm reports of US strikes on Kharg Island ahead of then-President Donald Trump’s deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz.
“I understand… that we were supposed to hit some military targets on Kharg Island. I believe we did,” Vance said. However, the country did not target Kharg Island’s oil infrastructure, a US official told the Associated Press news agency.
Trump also hinted at occupying a strategic island. “Maybe we’ll take Kharg Island, maybe we won’t. We have a lot of options,” Trump told the Financial Times. “It would also mean we have to be there (Kharg Island) for a while,” he said.
(With input from agencies)
Further details are awaited.
Why is Kharg Island important?
Kharg Island is located in the northern part of the Persian Gulf, just 20 miles off the coast of Iran. US space agency NASA says Kharg Island is a rocky limestone island. It is unique because it is one of the few islands in the Persian Gulf with fresh water that has collected in porous limestone.
According to the Council on Foreign Relations, the island is known as the “Forbidden Island” due to its role as a critical energy center. This small coral island is said to be Iran’s lifeline as most of Iran’s oil flows through Kharg Island. The island has long been key to Iran’s economy.
Kharg Island is Iran’s primary oil export terminal in the Persian Gulf, NASA explains. The small island in the Persian Gulf provides roughly 90% of the country’s oil exports.
It handles most of the country’s oil shipments, most of which go to Asia — mostly China, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.
US targets Kharg Island
The United States has repeatedly threatened to attack Iran’s Kharg Island, a critical oil hub for the Islamic Republic.
Since the start of the war on February 28, the US struck Kharg Island for the first time on March 13. The area later became a target in April when US Vice President JD Vance appeared to confirm reports of US strikes on Kharg Island ahead of then-President Donald Trump’s deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz.
“I understand… that we were supposed to hit some military targets on Kharg Island. I believe we did,” Vance said. However, the country did not target Kharg Island’s oil infrastructure, a US official told the Associated Press news agency.
Trump also hinted at occupying a strategic island. “Maybe we’ll take Kharg Island, maybe we won’t. We have a lot of options,” Trump told the Financial Times. “It would also mean we have to be there (Kharg Island) for a while,” he said.
(With input from agencies)
