President Donald Trump on Friday evening announced that the U.S. military bombed Kharg Island, which is viewed as Iran‘s oil lifeline.
“Moments ago, at my direction, the United States Central Command executed one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East, and totally obliterated every MILITARY target in Iran’s crown jewel, Kharg Island,” he posted on Truth Social.
Trump said he chose “NOT to wipe out the Oil Infrastructure on the Island,” which lies in the northern Persian Gulf and is viewed as critical to the global economy and international oil supply.
“Should Iran, or anyone else, do anything to interfere with the Free and Safe Passage of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision,” Trump said, referring to the tiny but immensely strategic waterway in the Persian Gulf over which Iran holds immense sway.
In remarks to the press at Maryland’s Joint Base Andrews on Friday, Trump said he expects the military will begin escorting oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz “very soon.”
Iran has said that the strait is and will remain closed. But in recent days, the U.S. has repeatedly teased military escorts for shipping vessels seeking to make their way through the strait, as the war has resulted in the largest disruption to the global oil supply in history.
Prior to Trump’s remarks on Friday, Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on Thursday that he expected the military to begin escorts by the end of the month, but warned it “can’t happen right now.” He explained military assets are focused on destroying Iran’s offensive capabilities and “the manufacturing industry that supplies their offensive capabilities.”
Kharg Island sits roughly 16 miles off of Iran’s coast and is the loading site for about 90% of the country’s oil exports.
Trump’s move to bomb it comes just hours after he said the area wasn’t high on his list of priorities in the war against Iran.
“It’s not high on the list, but it’s one of so many different things, and I can change my mind in seconds,” Trump told Fox News Radio host Brian Kilmeade in an interview that aired Friday morning.
But he also suggested he simply didn’t want to reveal his thinking.
“Let’s say I was going to do it, or let’s say I wasn’t going to do it. What would I tell you? ‘Oh, yes, Brian, I’m thinking about doing it, let me let you know what time and when it’ll take place.’… It’s sort of a foolish question — a little surprising for you, because you’re a smart man,” Trump told Kilmeade.
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Speaking on the war later in the day, Trump told reporters that there were a “lot of big hits today” amid the strikes on Kharg Island.
“We’re in very good control,” he said. “You see what’s happening with the straits — they continue to try to sabotage their own country in the Middle East — but it’s been very, very strong militarily.”
