Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Mar 14: Donald Trump said the United States carried out major airstrikes on military targets on Iran’s strategically vital Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf, warning that Washington could next target the island’s oil infrastructure if Tehran continues to block energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said American forces executed “one of the most powerful bombing raids in the history of the Middle East,” destroying multiple military installations on the island. However, he said the US deliberately avoided striking energy facilities there “for reasons of decency,” while cautioning Iran that the decision could be reversed if it interferes with shipping through the vital waterway.
Speaking to reporters earlier on Friday, Trump said the US military campaign would continue as long as necessary, though he claimed operations were “way ahead of schedule.” He also indicated that the US Navy may soon begin escorting commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz to ensure safe passage.
The attack marked the 14th day of the ongoing war and represented one of the largest strikes so far against the Islamic Republic. According to US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the US and Israel have hit around 15,000 targets since the conflict began.
In Iran, officials showed defiance as rallies were held across the country. Images circulating on social media showed senior leaders including Ali Larijani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, attending demonstrations.
The strikes on Kharg Island were seen as a strategic warning. The island serves as the main hub for Iran’s crude exports, with pipelines there handling roughly 90 percent of the country’s oil shipments, making it a critical pillar of Iran’s economy.
Military analysts warned that any attack on the island’s oil infrastructure could sharply escalate the conflict and further disrupt global energy markets.
Oil prices have already surged amid the conflict. Brent crude climbed above $100 per barrel for the second straight session, while US crude futures rose to their highest levels since July 2022. Large volumes of oil remain stuck in the Persian Gulf as maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has nearly halted.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said Tehran would work to keep the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed and warned that Iran could open additional fronts in the conflict if attacks by the US and Israel continue.
Meanwhile, Washington is reinforcing its military presence in the region. The US has ordered the deployment of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit from Japan to the Middle East. The unit, carrying about 2,400 troops, is deployed aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli equipped with F-35 fighter jets, V-22 Osprey aircraft and helicopters.
The war has already caused heavy casualties across the region. Nearly 2,600 people have been killed so far, most of them in Iran. In Lebanon, where Israel is battling the Iran-backed group Hezbollah, around 700 people have died. Israel has reported the deaths of 12 civilians and two soldiers.
The US military also confirmed additional casualties after a refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq, killing all six crew members on board. The incident brought the total number of American service members killed in the operation to 13, though officials said the crash was not caused by enemy fire.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has significantly disrupted global energy supplies. The International Energy Agency described the disruption as the biggest hit to global oil supply on record, forcing countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates to curb crude production.
Diplomatic efforts to reopen the strait are continuing. Countries including Saudi Arabia, Oman and Turkey are attempting to mediate, with support from European nations led by France.
Meanwhile, tensions continue to spread across the region. Missile threats were reported in Dubai, Saudi Arabia said it intercepted more than a dozen drones, and Oman reported two deaths after drones crashed near the port city of Sohar, forcing the suspension of operations at the port.