Why a Kharg Island blockade could be Iran’s greatest economic threat
The island is an energy hub that accounts for 90% of Iran's oil exports and is home to key Iranian military installations.
The Trump administration is reportedly considering a blockade or takeover of Iran’s Kharg Island to pressure Tehran into reopening the Strait of Hormuz — a move that could significantly endanger one of Iran’s most critical energy and military assets.
Axios reported Friday that US President Donald Trump’s administration is weighing these options one week after the United States bombed military installations on the island, an energy hub that accounts for 90% of Iran's oil exports.
Trump has struggled to contain the fallout from Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which prewar accounted for 20% of global oil flows. Brent crude rose above $110 a barrel on Friday, up about 60% since the war started, as Iran continues to hit Gulf energy assets and block the strategic waterway. Kharg Island lies about 300 miles northwest of the strait.
Energy lifeline
