US President Donald Trump threatened to attack Iran\u2019s oil facilities if the country doesn\u2019t\u00a0unblock the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n
Following a US strike on the military infrastructure<\/a> of Kharg Island, Trump warned that Iran\u2019s<\/p>\n oil facilities would be targeted if ships aren’t permitted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n The bombing of Kharg Island\u2019s military infrastructure follows reports that the US has sent a roughly 5000-strong<\/a> amphibious ready group and marine expeditionary group to the Middle<\/a> East.<\/a><\/p>\n Commenting on the US strike from Truth Social, President Trump said<\/a>:<\/p>\n \u201cMoments ago, at my direction, the United States Central Command executed one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East, and totally obliterated every MILITARY target in Iran\u2019s crown jewel, Kharg Island.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cOur Weapons are the most powerful and sophisticated that the World has ever known but, for reasons of decency, I have chosen NOT to wipe out the Oil Infrastructure on the Island.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cHowever, should Iran, or anyone else, do anything to interfere with the Free and Safe Passage of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n According to Fars News Agency, an Iranian outlet with close ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), targets hit included<\/a> the island\u2019s air-defense systems, a naval base, a helicopter hangar, and the airport control tower. Over 15 explosions were reported.<\/p>\n Kharg Island is Iran\u2019s main export hub for petroleum products with 90 percent of Iranian crude oil being distributed through its facilities.<\/p>\n Iran exported between 1.1 million and 1.5 million<\/a> barrels per day from the start of the war to Wednesday last week.<\/p>\n As such, the island was frequently targeted during the Iran-Iraq War due to its strategic importance, serving as an economic lifeline<\/a> of the IRGC.<\/p>\n Iran has already threatened retaliation<\/a> against the Gulf states should any of them attack the\u00a0country\u2019s energy infrastructure.<\/p>\n Trump\u2019s threat comes the day after Mojtaba Khameini, the new Supreme Leader of Iran, declared in his first public statement that Iran would continue<\/a> its blockade of the Strait throughout the war.<\/p>\n