American missile attacks on Iran's main oil export 'Kharg Island'

As reported by major international news services on March 14, 2026, the United States has launched a massive series of airstrikes on military targets located on Iran's Kharg Island. American President Donald Trump, in a statement issued via his 'Truth Social' account, stated that this operation, conducted under the direction of the US Central Command, was one of the most powerful bombing attacks in the history of the Middle East.

He stated that all military targets on the island were completely destroyed, and emphasized that they refrained from destroying the oil infrastructure there solely for moral reasons.

Kharg Island, located in the Persian Gulf, off Iran's southwestern coast, is small in land area but is a strategically vital region. Situated near the Strait of Hormuz, this island serves as Iran's primary oil export terminal, handling between 80 and 90 percent of the country's crude oil exports. Due to this invaluable contribution to the Iranian economy, it is often referred to as Iran's 'jewel in the crown'.

The main targets of these airstrikes were missile depots, landmines, and other defense systems. Reportedly, these military structures have been directly used by Iran to obstruct and threaten maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The President has also issued a warning that if Iran continues to impede free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a major sea lane through which about one-fifth of the world's oil supply is transported, America's next strike target will be Kharg Island's oil facilities.

Responding after the attack, Iran stated that it would launch severe retaliatory strikes against US-linked oil infrastructure in the region. Various reports have confirmed that massive explosions were heard and plumes of smoke rose from the island, and Iranian state media also described the destructive nature of the attack. However, it has been confirmed that no damage has yet occurred to the country's oil terminals.

This series of attacks is reported as another serious escalation in the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict, which has spanned approximately 15 days. This situation has developed as a result of a series of events, including the deployment of US Marines to the region, attacks on Tehran, and a suspected missile attack on the US Embassy in Baghdad. Due to fears that the war situation will disrupt oil supply, the price of Brent crude oil per barrel in the world market has exceeded the $100 mark, and some allied nations have called for de-escalation of this conflict. It appears that the focus is currently on military pressure rather than complete economic destruction, and information on this volatile situation is continuously being updated through news services such as CNN, Al Jazeera, Reuters, and BBC.