President Donald Trump stated on Monday that the United States could, at a moment’s notice, eliminate Iran’s primary oil export infrastructure on Kharg Island, emphasizing that such a move would require only “just one simple word.”
The remarks followed a U.S. strike late Friday targeting Iranian military assets on the small island, located roughly 15 miles off Iran’s northern coast in the Persian Gulf.
Speaking after a meeting of the Trump-Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts board, Trump explained that while American forces inflicted widespread destruction, they intentionally avoided damaging the island’s oil facilities, leaving them intact for potential use by a future regime.
“As you know, we attacked Kharg Island and knocked it … literally destroyed everything on the island except for the area where the oil is,” Trump said in remarks that aired live on Newsmax and the free Newsmax2 streaming platform. “I call it the pipes. We left the pipes.
“We didn’t want to do that, but we will do that. We can do that on five minutes’ notice; it will be over. But for purposes of someday rebuilding that country, I guess we did the right thing. But it may not stay that way. Just one simple word, and the pipes will be gone, too. But it will take a long time to rebuild that.”
Industry analysts note that any direct strike on Kharg Island’s oil infrastructure would effectively shut down a vast portion of Iran’s crude exports, cutting off a major revenue stream. The island is capable of handling approximately seven million barrels of oil per day and serves as a central export hub, particularly for shipments heading to countries like China.
Kharg Island has played a pivotal role in Iran’s oil operations for decades. Its development began in the early 1950s, when pipelines first connected mainland oil fields—starting with the Gachsaran field—to the island, establishing it as a key export terminal.
Further expansion followed, with storage facilities constructed beginning in 1956 and a major pipeline completed in 1959. By 1960, a deep-water terminal was operational, enabling large oil tankers to load crude directly offshore.
During the height of Iran’s oil expansion in the 1960s and 1970s, Kharg Island underwent significant upgrades through cooperation between the U.S.-based Amoco and the National Iranian Oil Company. By the early 1970s, it had grown into the country’s largest oil export terminal and one of the most significant offshore facilities worldwide.
Although Iranian officials have warned of severe retaliation if their oil infrastructure is attacked, Trump dismissed those threats, asserting that Tehran does not currently possess the capability to follow through.
He further claimed that since the launch of Operation Epic Fury on February 28, Iran’s offensive actions have dropped sharply, with ballistic missile activity reduced by 90% and drone operations down by 95%.
Trump also addressed ongoing efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route for global energy supplies, noting that U.S. operations are progressing as planned after the destruction of most Iranian mine-laying vessels.
According to Trump, American forces have eliminated more than 30 such ships in recent days, effectively dismantling Iran’s ability to deploy naval mines. While acknowledging that Iran could attempt to use alternative vessels, he cautioned that doing so would carry severe consequences.
“If they do it, it’s a form of suicide,” Trump said, adding he is pressing European and other Western nations to send peacekeeping forces into the region to ensure the shipping lane remains clear.
{Matzav.com}