The United States destroyed military targets on Iran’s main oil hub of Kharg Island, US President Donald Trump said, threatening to strike its oil infrastructure if Iran continues attacks that have halted most ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
The island serves as the export terminal for 90% of Iran’s oil shipments.
In a social media post, Mr Trump wrote the US military “totally obliterated every MILITARY target” on Kharg while leaving oil infrastructure intact.
“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,” Mr Trump wrote, a warning that could further roil markets already dealing with what the International Energy Agency has called the biggest oil supply disruption in history.
Iran had no ability to defend against US attacks, the president added.
“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!” he said.
Oil prices have been whipsawing on Mr Trump’s changing comments on the likely duration of the Iran war, which has prompted Iran to attack vessels in the strait, the conduit for a fifth of the world’s oil.
Although he has previously said the war would last only weeks, the president declined to publicly project an end date for the conflict. “I can’t tell you that,” Mr Trump said to reporters
Trump says US struck military targets on Iran’s Kharg Island oil hub
Updated / Saturday, 14 Mar 2026 01:57
A fireball errupts from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted a building in the southern Lebanese village of Abbasiyyeh
A fireball erupts from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted a building in the southern Lebanese village of Abbasiyyeh
The United States destroyed military targets on Iran’s main oil hub of Kharg Island, US President Donald Trump said, threatening to strike its oil infrastructure if Iran continues attacks that have halted most ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
The island serves as the export terminal for 90% of Iran’s oil shipments.
In a social media post, Mr Trump wrote the US military “totally obliterated every MILITARY target” on Kharg while leaving oil infrastructure intact.
“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,” Mr Trump wrote, a warning that could further roil markets already dealing with what the International Energy Agency has called the biggest oil supply disruption in history.
Iran had no ability to defend against US attacks, the president added.
“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!” he said.
Oil prices have been whipsawing on Mr Trump’s changing comments on the likely duration of the Iran war, which has prompted Iran to attack vessels in the strait, the conduit for a fifth of the world’s oil.
Although he has previously said the war would last only weeks, the president declined to publicly project an end date for the conflict. “I can’t tell you that,” Mr Trump said to reporters.
ANKARA, TURKIYE – MARCH 12: An infographic titled “Kharg Island” created in Ankara, Turkiye on March 12, 2026. (Photo by Elif Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“I mean, I have my own idea, but what good does it do? It’ll be as long as it’s necessary.”
Kharg is 26km from Iran’s coast, about 483km northwest of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran continued to export crude oil while other producers in the Gulf halted their shipments due to fear of Iranian attacks.
Multiple very large crude oil tankers were loading at Kharg Island on Wednesday, according to satellite imagery reviewed byTankerTrackers.com.
Iran exported between 1.1 million barrels per day and 1.5 million bpd from 28 February when the war began to Wednesday.
Markets will watch closely for any sign the US strikes damaged the island’s intricate network of pipelines, terminals and oil storage tanks.
Even minor disruptions could further tighten global supply, adding pressure to an already volatile market.
Bob McNally, president of Rapidan Energy Group, said Mr Trump’s comments “will focus the market’s mind on pathways that this energy disruption, already history’s largest, could expand and last longer.”
Some energy industry observers expressed doubts that Kharg’s oil facilities would stay intact.
“Bombing Kharg Island but not the oil infrastructure is like going to McDonald’s and getting a hamburger with no meat,” said Josh Young, chief investment officer at Bison Interests.
“What’s the point?”
Iran’s new leader vows to keep strait shut
Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, in his first public comments, vowed to keep the Strait of Hormuz shut and urged neighbouring countries to close US bases on their territory or risk being attacked themselves.
Mr Trump said the US Navy will “soon” start escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.
European powers are trying to work out how to defend their interests, and France has been consulting with European, Asian and Gulf Arab states over the past week with a view to putting together a plan for warships eventually to escort tankers through the strait, French officials said.
With gasoline and diesel prices rising at pumps in the United States and around the world, the US on Thursday issued a 30-day licence for countries to buy sanctioned Russian oil and petroleum products already at sea.
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