New Delhi: Amid the escalation of war in the Middle East, US President Donald Trump is reportedly planning to seize Kharg Island, an important oil network of Iran. The island was bombed by the US forces last week as tensions have increased.
Notably, Trump will have to put troops on the ground if he wishes to go ahead with his plan. This will not be that easy for the US forces. Iran will do everything to save the island, but may also target oil facilities in Gulf nations as retaliation leading to further escalation, an Axios report said.
Ever since the war started, the oil supply across the world has been greatly impacted after Iran restricted oil shipments in the Strait of Hormuz. Apart from a sharp decline in oil supply, the prices of gas increased massively across the globe.
In its efforts to reduce the oil crisis, Trump has also spoken to various world leaders from France, China, Japan, and the United Kingdom, among other countries to help him open the Strait of Hormouz. He also called upon them to send warships to the strait. He has also apparently threatened NATO countries that they would face a tough time if they do not come to the US’ aid.
The war continues in the region ever since the US and Israel conducted a joint operation on Iran on Feb 28, which also led to the killing of Iran supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei. Pointing out that bombing would continue, Trump also warned that the island’s oil facilities might be the next target.
Why is Kharg Island crucial?
Kharg Island is considered as an important hub of Iran’s energy industry. It plays a crucial role in Iran’s crude oil exports and also serves as a key link between oil fields in Iran and markets around the world.
The island is located around 15 miles off Iran’s coast. It also has deep-water ports, which permit large oil tankers to dock and load crude for export. It generates $78 billion in energy revenue every year for Iran. Tehran allocates a large share of its oil export revenue to the armed forces, making the island the mainstay of Iran’s economy.
As per satellite images, a large number of crude oil tankers have recently been loading cargo at the island. Reports suggested that Iran exported between 1.1 million and 1.5 million barrels of oil per day since the war started in the region.