Kharg Island Bombed, Iran Threatens to Strike US Oil Infrastructure
Iran’s Armed Forces have threatened to strike oil and energy infrastructure linked to the United States, after President Donald Trump stated that Washington’s forces have bombed Kharg Island, which handles nearly all of Tehran’s crude oil exports.
The Al-Anbiya Central Headquarters of Iran’s military, according to AFP on Saturday, 14 March 2026, said in a statement that oil and energy infrastructure owned by companies cooperating with the US would “soon be destroyed and turned into piles of ash” if Iranian energy facilities are attacked.
The statement, reported by the Fars and Tasnim news agencies, was a “response to” Trump’s earlier statement about US attacks having “destroyed” military targets on Kharg Island.
Trump also threatened to strike oil infrastructure on Kharg Island if Tehran does not allow ships to transit the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic and vital shipping route through which one-fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes.
“US Central Command has launched one of the most devastating bombing attacks in Middle Eastern history, and completely destroyed every military target on Iran’s crown jewel, Kharg Island,” Trump claimed in a statement via Truth Social on Friday, 13 March.
“I have chosen NOT to destroy the oil infrastructure on the island. However, if Iran or anyone does anything to disrupt free and safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, I will reconsider immediately,” he said.
The Strait of Hormuz has been closed since the US and Israel launched a large-scale attack against Iran on 28 February. Tehran retaliated with waves of missile and drone strikes against targets in Israel and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, escalating the conflict.
Kharg Island, located approximately 30 kilometres off Iran’s mainland coast, handles about 90 per cent of Iran’s crude oil exports, according to JP Morgan.
The war raging in the Middle East has triggered turmoil in global markets and caused oil prices to surge.
Iran’s retaliatory attacks have nearly halted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and have also damaged oil infrastructure in other Gulf countries, prompting investors and governments worldwide to worry about the risk of reduced energy supplies and higher inflation.
Trump also stated that the US Navy would begin escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz “very soon” to restore oil exports as he seeks to address surging US petrol prices.