JUST IN: Trump Orders Strikes On Important Iranian Financial Island, Provides Ultimatum
President Donald Trump on Friday announced that the U.S. Military carried out a series of strikes on military targets located on Kharg Island, a key Iranian oil export hub in the Persian Gulf. In a lengthy Truth social post, the president warned the regime that additional strikes could be coming on economic targets located on the island, which would constitute an escalation in the conflict as the U.S. continues to apply pressure to the regime.
The operation, carried out by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), focused exclusively on military installations and left the island’s oil infrastructure intact. According to a report from the New York Times citing senior U.S. Military officials, the strikes targeted sites storing missiles and mines, which have increasingly been used by the regime to target oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint in the Persian Gulf that handles roughly a third of global oil exports.
Iran’s effective blockade of the strait has disrupted global shipping and contributed to a more than 40% rise in oil prices since the conflict began on February 28.
A graphic detailing the Strait of Hormuz
“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,” President Trump announced in a Truth Social post on Friday evening.
The president highlighted the advanced nature of U.S. weaponry, adding that the strikes were deliberately designed to avoid economic assets. “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 continued.
Trump ended the post by threatening to target the island’s oil infrastructure if Iran continues to target ships belonging to the U.S. and its allies in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump just announced that the U.S. military “totally obliterated” every military target on Kharg Island, sparing the oil infrastructure – at least for now.
This a significant development given that the island handles 90% of Iranian crude oil exports. https://t.co/rXBnGkcsxK pic.twitter.com/jWUFn7cUNV
— Patrick Casey (@restoreorderusa) March 13, 2026
Kharg Island, located approximately 15 miles off Iran’s mainland coast in the northern Persian Gulf, serves as a critical component of Iran’s petroleum sector. Measuring about five miles in length, the coral island hosts facilities that process and export roughly 90-95 percent of Iran’s crude oil.
It features refineries and loading terminals with a capacity of up to 7 million barrels per day, making it essential for the country’s revenue generation. Any disruption to operations on the island could severely impact Iran’s economy, which relies heavily on oil sales for government funding.
Iran exports about 1.5-1.6 million barrels per day, with exports reaching a value of around $35.8 billion in 2024, according to the most recent data from CEIC. China dominates as the primary buyer, accounting for about 91 percent of shipments.
Despite the ongoing conflict and Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz, exports have averaged 2.1 million barrels per day in recent days, surpassing pre-war levels, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal. Strikes on Kharg Island’s oil infrastructure would significantly hinder the regime’s ability to maintain current production levels.
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