The tiny island of Harg, in the Persian Gulf, has found itself in the spotlight following statements by Trump that the U.S. could strike or even occupy the island and other oil facilities of Iran.
Despite its limited size (covering an area roughly one-third the size of Manhattan) it is the most important energy artery of the Iranian economy.
The Chargh is located just 25 kilometers from the Iranian coast and serves as the country’s main crude oil export terminal. Millions of barrels from Iran’s largest oil fields, such as Ahvaz, Marun, and Gachsaran, before being loaded onto tankers bound for international markets.
Its strategic importance is enormous, as it is estimated that approximately 90% of Iranian crude oil exports pass through the island. With a storage capacity of nearly 30 million barrels and massive port facilities, Kharg is considered the “heart” of Iran’s oil industry and a key pillar of state revenue.
U.S. officials have described it as the “central hub of the entire Iranian oil supply chain.” Its long piers extend into deep waters capable of servicing supertankers, making it a critical point for loading and exporting oil.
According to CNN, White House officials estimate that the seizure of the island could “lead to a complete economic collapse” of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, depriving them of key revenue from energy exports.
Although Trump had previously stated that Harg “is not high on the list of targets,” the idea of seizing it is not new to him. As early as 1988, decades before he was elected president, he had publicly mentioned this possibility.
“If a single bullet were to hit one of our men or one of our ships, I would strike the island of Harge. I would go there and take it over,” he had stated at the time in an interview with The Guardian.
