Agencies- The United States on Friday attacked military targets on Iran’s main oil hub of Kharg Island, President Donald Trump said, threatening to strike oil infrastructure on the island if Iran continues to block shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
In a social media post, Trump said the US military “totally obliterated every MILITARY target” on the island, but he had decided to leave oil infrastructure intact. The island serves as the export terminal for 90 percent of Iran’s oil shipments and lies about 300 miles (483 km) northwest of the strait.
No oil infrastructure was damaged in US strikes on Kharg Island, Tehran’s crude export hub in the Gulf, Iranian media reported on Saturday.
The Fars news agency, citing sources on the island, reported there had been no damage to oil facilities after President Donald Trump said US strikes had destroyed only military targets.
“However, 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,” Trump said.
Iran had no ability to defend against US attacks, the president added. “Iran’s Military, and all others involved with this Terrorist Regime, would be wise to lay down their arms, and save what’s left of their country, which isn’t much!” he said. The move came as oil prices have been whipsawing on Trump’s changing comments on the likely duration of the Iran war, which has prompted Iran to attack vessels in the strait, the conduit for a fifth of the world’s oil.
Trump on Thursday issued a temporary waiver for some purchases of sanctioned Russian oil, a move that drew criticism from US allies in Europe for potentially helping Russia fund its war with Ukraine.
Asked when the US Navy will start escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, Trump told reporters on Friday, “It will happen soon.”
Trump earlier said Iran’s attacks on shipping were “a last-ditch effort.” The US would continue to hit Iran “very hard over the next week,” he said in a Fox News interview that was recorded on Thursday and aired on Friday.
