economy
What to know about Kharg Island, the tiny coral outcrop at the heart of Iran’s oil industry
During the first two weeks of the latest war in the Middle East, as US and Israeli strikes rained down on military and energy facilities across Iran, one site went conspicuously untouched.
TL;DR
- Kharg Island is a critical economic hub for Iran, handling about 90% of its crude oil exports.
- US military strikes on March 14, 2026, targeted military facilities on Kharg Island but avoided oil infrastructure.
- President Trump threatened to strike oil assets if Iran continues to block ships from the Strait of Hormuz.
- Attacks on Kharg's oil facilities could cripple Iran's economy, leading to potential retaliation and soaring global oil prices.
- Rebuilding Iran's oil infrastructure after an attack could take months to over a year due to sanctions and lack of resources.