International analysts have these days fixed their eyes on an island the size of Anholt. The oil island of Kharg in the Persian Gulf is described as the heart of Iran's oil industry, and late Friday Danish time it was attacked by the United States. This was confirmed by US President Donald Trump on Truth Social.
- A short time ago, the US Central Command - on my instructions - carried out one of the most powerful bombing attacks in the history of the Middle East and completely destroyed every military target on Iran's crown jewel, Kharg Island, he wrote.
About 90 percent of Iranian oil is shipped from Kharg. At a time of great unrest over oil prices, destruction on the island could drive prices up further.
But the US apparently bypassed the jetties, oil tanks, pipelines and other infrastructure that make the island one of the world's most important oil hubs.
Normal conditions
On Saturday afternoon Danish time, oil exports continued as normal from Kharg, Iranian authorities told the Irna news agency. Trump, however, left the threat of further attacks hanging in the air.
- I have chosen not to destroy the oil infrastructure on the island, Trump wrote.
- But if Iran or anyone else does anything that disrupts the free and safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider that decision, the president continued.
The rising oil prices worldwide are due, among other things, to the fact that the busy Strait of Hormuz between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula has been almost completely closed during the great unrest in the Middle East. It is generally considered unsafe to pass through the strait, where Iran's military exercises great influence.
But Trump wants the narrow strait reopened. He has now decided to play high stakes by bringing Kharg into the equation, analysts say.
- In the power struggle between Iran on the one hand and Israel and the United States on the other, the stakes have just been raised, writes Frank Gardner, security correspondent for the BBC, in an analysis.
- The US attacking this small but vital island in the northern part of the Persian Gulf is like going after Iran's economic carotid artery.
Trump will provide escort for oil tankers
On Friday, Trump announced that the US Navy will "soon" begin escorting oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.
If it is up to the new Iranian supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has replaced his murdered father, the strategically important strait must be kept closed to maintain the pressure.
At the same time, Iran is threatening harsh counter-reactions if the US were to attack Kharg again - or even try to take control of the island.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard has said that American interests in, among others, the United Arab Emirates will be legitimate targets for Iran.
According to retired US General Mark Kimmitt, the situation could escalate.
If the US attacks the oil facilities at Kharg, "it is clear that Iran will attack the rest of the infrastructure in the Middle East," Kimmitt said, according to CNN.
- And then oil prices will get out of control, he added.
Black smoke rose in the emirate of Fujairah on Saturday after a suspected drone attack. Some oil loading operations were temporarily suspended, industry sources told Reuters.
/ritzau/
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