Capitals, March 11 (SANA) As the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran continues, attention has increasingly turned to Kharg Island, a small territory in the Arabian Gulf that plays a critical role in Iran’s oil exports.
Despite covering only about 22 square kilometers, the island handles roughly 90% of Iran’s crude oil exports and hosts key infrastructure including large storage tanks, tanker-loading terminals and energy-related industrial facilities.
Analysts and reports in Western media say the island could become a pivotal factor in the trajectory of the conflict, as targeting or seizing it would immediately disrupt Iran’s oil exports and place severe pressure on the country’s economy.
A strategic target left untouched
The Financial Times reported that Kharg Island has so far remained outside the target list of the expanding U.S.–Israeli air campaign against Iran. Analysts say the decision reflects complex strategic considerations and concerns that attacking the facility could trigger a major shock in global oil markets.
However, the U.S. news outlet Axios cited an American official as saying Washington has discussed several possible scenarios for dealing with the conflict, including the option of seizing the island.
U.S. President Donald Trump said recently that military operations could expand beyond military and nuclear facilities, potentially opening the door to broader strategic targets.
Iran’s main oil export hub
Kharg Island lies in the northeastern Arabian Gulf, off the coast of Bushehr province, and serves as Iran’s largest oil export terminal. The facility can load up to 7 million barrels of oil per day, making it a key link between Iran’s oil fields and global markets.
The island is connected to several major oil fields through offshore pipelines, and most Iranian crude exports pass through Kharg due to the shallow waters along much of Iran’s coastline, which limit access for large oil tankers.
Kharg also hosts storage facilities capable of holding up to 30 million barrels of oil, along with maritime berths that can accommodate eight tankers at the same time. Additional shipments can be handled through ship-to-ship transfers offshore.
Iran increased oil loading operations at the island shortly before the conflict began on Feb. 28, and tankers have continued loading shipments since the start of hostilities. Analysts say the move may be intended to accelerate exports and move crude away from potential conflict zones.
Global attention on a small island
In recent days, international media outlets have highlighted the potential role of Kharg Island in shaping the conflict’s outcome.
Australia’s Financial Review asked why the island has not been targeted, while Britain’s Daily Telegraph described it as a location that could allow Washington to pressure Iran economically without deploying ground troops.
French newspaper Le Figaro called the island strategically critical, and Le Parisien raised the question of whether U.S. control of Kharg could become a turning point in the conflict.
Analysts say disrupting operations at Kharg could significantly weaken Iran’s financial capacity, as oil revenue remains a central source of government income.
At the same time, many experts warn that attacking the island could trigger wider regional escalation, potentially leading Iran to target energy infrastructure in Gulf states and disrupting global oil supplies.
Energy analysts estimate that a blockade or seizure of Kharg Island could raise oil prices by $10 to $12 per barrel, adding further volatility to markets already affected by tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.
For now, Kharg Island remains one of the most sensitive strategic points in the conflict, where military calculations intersect with global economic and energy concerns.
