US Strikes Iran’s Kharg Island in Massive Raid, Trump Claims ‘Most Powerful’ in Region

US President Donald Trump said American forces carried out a major bombing raid on Kharg Island, claiming the strike destroyed all military targets on the strategic site while warning that its oil infrastructure could be targeted if tensions escalate further.

The operation was conducted by the United States Central Command and came hours after US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said American forces would launch their “most intense strikes” against Iran.

In a message posted on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump described the attack as one of the most powerful military operations ever carried out in the region.

According to Trump, US forces targeted military facilities on Kharg Island, which he described as a key strategic asset for Iran. He claimed that all military targets on the island were destroyed during the raid.

However, Trump said the United States deliberately avoided hitting the island’s oil infrastructure, despite its importance to Iran’s economy.

The president warned that this restraint could change if Iran disrupts shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints through which roughly a fifth of global oil supplies pass each day.

Trump also used the statement to emphasise the strength of the US military and caution Iran against further escalation, saying American weapons were among the most advanced in the world.

He reiterated Washington’s long-standing position that Iran must never obtain nuclear weapons and warned Iranian military forces against continuing confrontation.

The strike comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East involving the United States, Israel and Iran, with hostilities expanding across the region.

Why Kharg Island matters

Located about 33 kilometres off Iran’s southern coast in the Persian Gulf, Kharg Island is the country’s main oil export terminal and one of its most important economic assets.

Nearly all of Iran’s crude oil exports pass through the island. Since the conflict began, Iran has exported an estimated 13.7 million barrels of oil, with satellite imagery showing tankers loading crude at the facility, according to maritime intelligence firm TankerTrackers.com.

Oil exports remain a crucial source of revenue for Iran, with shipments flowing to buyers including China. Analysts say any strike targeting the island’s export infrastructure could severely damage Iran’s finances and disrupt its ability to generate revenue.

Energy researcher Petras Katinas of the Royal United Services Institute said the island plays a central role in sustaining Iran’s economy and funding the state.

According to Katinas, losing control of Kharg Island would make it extremely difficult for Iran to function economically. He added that control of the facility would remain critical regardless of which government is in power in Tehran, as it serves as the main hub for the country’s oil export system.