The striking of military targets by US forces on Iran's Kharg Island has once again brought the importance of this strategic location to the forefront.
According to **Modern.az**, Kharg Island is considered the main center for Iran's oil exports, and approximately 90 percent of the oil sent from the country is transported to the world market through terminals on this island.
Located in the Persian Gulf, approximately 26 kilometers off the Iranian coast, the island has deep waters where large oil tankers can dock. For this reason, Iran's oil pipelines, terminals, and large storage facilities are concentrated here. Experts state that a serious blow to this infrastructure could create a significant shortage in the global oil market.
US President Donald Trump stated on social media that US forces have destroyed all military targets on the island, and if Tehran continues to impede shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, oil infrastructure could also be targeted. The Iranian side, in turn, declared that if energy facilities are attacked, the infrastructure of oil companies cooperating with the US in the region could also be struck.
Currently, Iran exports approximately 1.1–1.5 million barrels of oil per day, and a large portion of this is transported via Kharg Island. One of the main buyers of this oil is China, the world's largest importer of crude oil. According to statistics, Iranian oil accounts for approximately 11.6 percent of China's seaborne oil imports this year.
Analysts note that if Kharg Island's infrastructure is incapacitated, approximately 2 million barrels of oil could be removed from the market daily. This could lead to further price increases in the already tense global energy market.
Currently, Iran produces approximately 3.3 million barrels of crude oil per day, which accounts for about 4.5 percent of the global oil supply. Kharg Island is considered the main logistics hub through which a large portion of this export is carried out.
