Trump Authorizes Strike on Iran’s Kharg Island, Threatens Further Action Over Strait of Hormuz
TEHRAN – U.S. President Donald Trump announced Friday that he ordered a bombing raid targeting military sites on Iran’s Kharg Island, a critical hub for the country’s oil exports. The strike, described by Trump as “one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East,” comes amid escalating tensions and a widening conflict in the region.
“Moments ago, at my direction, the United States Central Command executed…totally obliterated every MILITARY target in Iran’s crown jewel, Kharg Island,” Trump stated in a post on Truth Social. He notably added that he had “chosen NOT to wipe out the Oil Infrastructure on the Island,” but warned that any interference with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz would prompt a reconsideration of that decision.
The president later asserted that Iran’s ambitions to dominate the Middle East and “completely obliterating Israel” were now “DEAD!”
Speaking to reporters before departing for Florida, Trump indicated the military campaign would continue “as long as necessary,” offering no specific timeline. When pressed on the possibility of “unconditional surrender,” he stated the U.S. had achieved “a position of dominance that nobody has seen before.”
Kharg Island, located in the Persian Gulf, handles approximately 90% of Iran’s crude oil exports, with a loading capacity of around 7 million barrels per day. Analysts have long considered a move against the island to be high-risk, potentially triggering a significant escalation and disruption to global oil markets.
Brent crude oil futures closed above $100 per barrel Friday for the second consecutive day, surging more than 40% since the start of the conflict.
The Trump administration has previously discussed the possibility of seizing Kharg Island, according to a recent report by Axios. While officials anticipate oil prices will fall once “Operation Epic Fury” concludes, the potential for further disruption remains high.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has not ruled out deploying ground forces to Iran, but stated the U.S. does not intend to become “bogged down” in a prolonged conflict.
The strikes on Kharg Island follow nearly two weeks of U.S. and Israeli-led attacks against Iranian targets.
Reporting contributed by CNBC’s Riya Bhattacharjee.
