A US strike on Iran’s key crude oil export terminal on Kharg Island has sharply escalated risks in the ongoing conflict, raising concerns that the global oil market could spiral “out of control.”
A retired US military officer warned in an interview with CNN that the attack could dramatically increase the stakes of the war.
Escalating Risks
Former US Army Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt said the strike signals a major escalation in the conflict.
“What this means is that we have significantly raised the level of risk in this war,” Kimmitt said.
“This is no longer just about removing a military or government capability; we are now trying to target the economic lifeline of the country.”
Strategic Importance of Kharg Island
The island is located about five miles off the Iranian coast and handles around 90% of Iran’s crude oil exports, making it one of the country’s most critical energy hubs.
During the first two weeks of the war with Iran, the facility had largely remained untouched.
Hormuz Strait Tensions
Kimmitt said the United States appears to be holding the island “hostage” to pressure Iran into allowing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Disruptions in the strait have already sent oil prices soaring, he said. If Iran’s oil infrastructure is directly targeted, the consequences could be severe.
“It is clear that Iran would then attack the rest of the infrastructure across the Middle East,” Kimmitt warned.
“At that stage, oil prices would completely spiral out of control.”
Trump Claims Destruction of Targets
On Friday night, Donald Trump claimed that the United States had “completely destroyed every military target” on Kharg Island.
He also warned that oil infrastructure on the island could be targeted if Iran continues to block shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian Warning
Earlier, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that if the United States attacked Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf, Iran would abandon “all forms of restraint.”
Video of the Attack
A video posted by President Trump on his social media platform Truth Social, and later geographically verified by CNN, shows major explosions and thick black smoke rising from Kharg Island.
The footage indicates that the island’s airport and runway were damaged in the strike. CNN confirmed the location by matching the video frames with satellite imagery.
Source: CNN
