Iran Reports No Oil Damage After U.S. Strikes on Iran’s Kharg Island

TEHRAN, Mar 14: U.S. forces carried out airstrikes on Iran’s Kharg Island early Saturday, hitting what Washington described as military targets in the northern Gulf, a move analysts say marks a sharp escalation in regional tensions.

Meanwhile, Iranian state media reported that no oil infrastructure was damaged in the strikes, citing local sources on the island. According to the semi-official Fars News Agency, oil facilities remained intact despite U.S. claims of successful bombardment of military positions.

The attack followed a social media warning from U.S. President Donald Trump, who threatened to target Iran’s vital oil export infrastructure on Kharg Island if Tehran continued to obstruct shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Kharg Island, located about 30 kilometers (19 miles) off Iran’s mainland, handles nearly 90 percent of the nation’s crude exports, according to a recent note by J.P. Morgan. The island became a cornerstone of Iran’s oil industry during rapid expansion in the 1960s and 1970s, as most of the country’s shallow coastline could not accommodate large supertankers.

While Iran has sought to reduce its reliance on Kharg by opening the Jask export terminal on the Gulf of Oman in 2021, analysts caution that Kharg remains “a critical vulnerability” in the nation’s energy network.

Regional observers warn that any attempt by U.S. or allied forces to seize or control Kharg would signify a major turning point in the confrontation, carrying severe implications for global energy markets and Gulf security.