Washington, United States. President Donald Trump threatened to strike Iran’s oil infrastructure at the Kharg Island hub unless Tehran stopped attacking vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, warning of further market disruption amid supply shortages.
Ultimatum tied to Strait of Hormuz shipping
Trump said on social media that the United States had “totally obliterated” military targets on Kharg Island, which he described as the export terminal for 90% of Iran’s oil shipments and located about 300 miles (500 km) northwest of the strait.
He wrote that U.S. strikes did not target Kharg’s oil infrastructure, but said he would “immediately reconsider this decision” if Iran or others interfered with the “Free and Safe Passage of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz.”
Trump statements on Iran’s ability to respond
Trump said Iran could not defend against U.S. attacks and urged those involved with Iran’s government to lay down their arms in posts on his Truth Social platform.
He later wrote that Iran was “totally defeated and wants a deal,” while criticizing media coverage of U.S. military performance.
Iran response and reports of attacks on the island
Iran showed no sign of capitulating or bowing to U.S.-Israeli military pressure.
Iran’s armed forces said any strike on the country’s oil and energy infrastructure would lead to strikes on facilities owned by oil companies cooperating with the United States in the region, Iranian media reported.
Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported, citing sources, that more than 15 explosions were heard on the island during the U.S. attacks, and that air defenses, a naval base and airport facilities were hit, with no damage to oil infrastructure.
Market focus on potential oil supply disruption
Markets were watching for any sign that the strikes had damaged Kharg Island’s network of pipelines, terminals and storage tanks, as even minor disruptions could further tighten global supply and add pressure to an already volatile market.
How do you think threats to shipping and oil infrastructure in the Strait of Hormuz could affect global energy markets?