'Totally obliterated': Trump says US hit 'every military target' on Iran's Kharg Island

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump announced that the US military has targeted Iran’s Kharg Island. The island, which handles most of Iran’s oil exports, was “totally obliterated every MILITARY target" by US airstrikes in a "historic bombing raid" in the Persian Gulf.

He called the raid powerful and shared, "During my First Term, and currently, I rebuilt our Military into the Most Lethal, Powerful, and Effective Force, by far, anywhere in the World."

Kharg Island, which sits about 16 miles off Iran’s coast, is one-third the size of Manhattan and controls about 90% of the country’s crude oil exports. Trump said he deliberately chose not to “wipe out” the oil infrastructure on the island.

Trump says US ‘totally obliterated’ military targets on the crown jewel island

Taking to Truth Social on Saturday, March 14, Trump stated that the Central Command (CENTCOM) executed one of the most “powerful bombing raids in the history of the Middle East” on Iran’s crown jewel, Kharg Island.

“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 added.

He warned that if Iran or any other country tries to interfere with the free and safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, then harsh decisions will be considered.

Trump stated that during his first term, and currently, he has built the US military into the “most lethal, powerful, and effective force” by far anywhere in the world.

He also emphasized that Iran has “no abilities to defend anything that we want to attack.”

He added, “Iran will NEVER have a nuclear weapon, nor will it have the ability to threaten the United States of America, the Middle East, or, for that matter, the world!”

Trump also warned that it would be wise for Iran and others involved with the regime to pull back and not execute whatever their plan is, and should "lay down their arms and save what’s left of their country, which isn’t much.”

Kharg Island, Iran’s crucial oil export center 

Kharg Island is a small strip of land about eight kilometers long. It is located less than 25 kilometers from Iran’s coast and around 480 kilometers north of the Strait of Hormuz. The island is Iran’s main oil export hub. Oil from major fields in southwestern Iran such as Ahvaz, Marun, and Gachsaran is sent by pipeline to the island.

There it is stored and loaded onto tankers, mostly going to China. Trump targeted Kharg Island because it is very important for Iran’s economy.

“It is necessary to destroy all the energy infrastructure on Kharg Island to bring the Iranian economy to its knees,” former Israeli prime minister Yair Lapid made the observation in a social media post on March 7.

“Between 90 and 95 percent of Iran’s oil exports pass through Kharg Island,” said Emmanuel Hache, research director at the Institute for International and Strategic Relations (IRIS).

“Bombing this island or taking control of it would simply prevent Iran from exporting its oil," he added.

Striking the island puts pressure on Tehran by threatening a key part of its oil trade. The island can also store large amounts of crude oil. Experts estimate Kharg currently holds about 18 million barrels, which is roughly ten to twelve days of Iran’s normal oil exports.

By hitting the military targets while leaving the oil facilities intact, Trump showed that the United States has the power to strike but can avoid unnecessary damage to critical infrastructure.

However, Kharg Island has long been viewed as an essential region for Iran. During the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s, the island was repeatedly targeted during what became known as the “tanker war,” when both sides attacked energy exports. The facilities were damaged but quickly rebuilt.