Trump Claims US Strike on Iran’s Kharg Island, Sends More Troops to Middle East

US President Donald Trump stated late Friday that US Central Command, under his orders, had conducted “one of the most powerful bombing runs in the history of the Middle East,” completely destroying all military targets on Iran’s Kharg Island.

Kharg Island is located in the Persian Gulf, approximately 25 kilometers off the coast of Iran, northwest of the Strait of Hormuz. The island serves as Iran’s primary oil export terminal, handling up to 90 percent of the country’s oil exports.

Trump stated that the US deliberately refrained from destroying Iran’s oil infrastructure on Kharg Island. However, he warned that this decision could be reversed should shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz be disrupted. “I chose not to destroy the oil infrastructure on the island. But if Iran, or any other, does anything to interfere with free and safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision,” he wrote on Truth Social.

Kharg Island hosts three key facilities within Iran’s energy sector, including Falat Iran Oil Company, which produces 500,000 barrels of crude oil daily and is considered the largest of the country’s four major oil refineries. The island also houses Kharg Petrochemical Company, as well as a large facility for the storage and distribution of oil and liquefied natural gas. Any disruption to the island’s infrastructure would therefore have significant consequences for the global energy market.

The announcement comes as the US is deploying additional forces to the Middle East. The US Navy is sending the USS Tripoli and approximately 2,500 Marines to the region following increased Iranian activity in the Strait of Hormuz. According to reports, the USS Tripoli, previously based in Japan, has been directed to the region by Defense Minister Pete Hegseth.

Two US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that the deployment includes the USS Tripoli and around 2,500 Marines. The Pentagon has not yet commented on the matter. Earlier this week, the US Navy had 12 ships, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and eight destroyers, operating in the Arabian Sea.

The timing of these developments is significant, occurring against a backdrop of heightened regional tensions. The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, is a critical chokepoint for global oil supplies. Any disruption to traffic through the strait could have a substantial impact on energy prices and global trade.

The US military action and the subsequent deployment of forces represent a clear signal of Washington’s resolve to counter what it perceives as Iranian aggression in the region. The situation remains fluid and requires careful monitoring, as further escalation could have far-reaching consequences for regional stability and the global economy.

The US has long maintained a strong military presence in the Middle East, primarily to protect its interests and those of its allies, including ensuring the free flow of oil. The recent actions suggest a heightened level of concern regarding Iranian activities and a willingness to take decisive steps to address them.

The potential for miscalculation and unintended consequences remains a significant concern. The region is already fraught with complex geopolitical dynamics and any further escalation could exacerbate existing tensions and lead to a wider conflict. Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation and prevent further escalation will be crucial in the coming days and weeks.