Iran threatens to turn US-linked oil sites into ‘ashes’ after Kharg strikes

Iran has threatened sweeping retaliation against oil facilities across the Middle East linked to the United States after Washington carried out strikes on the strategic Kharg Island, a key hub that handles nearly 90% of Iran’s crude exports.

Iran’s armed forces on March 14 warned that energy infrastructure operated by companies cooperating with the US could be targeted if Iranian oil facilities come under attack. The warning came after US President Donald Trump said American forces had destroyed military targets on Kharg Island.

A spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said that if Iran’s oil infrastructure is struck, Tehran would retaliate by attacking energy installations across the region operated by companies with American ownership or links to the US, warning such facilities would be “destroyed and reduced to ashes.”

Oil market fears grow as conflict escalates

The strikes on Kharg Island have sharply raised the stakes in the conflict now entering its third week. Analysts warn that any disruption at the island — the backbone of Iran’s oil exports — could send already volatile global oil prices spiraling further.

Tensions have intensified around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes. Iran has recently targeted merchant vessels and tankers linked to the US or Israel moving through the narrow shipping lane.

Posting on Truth Social, Trump said US forces had “totally obliterated every military target” on Kharg Island and described the operation as one of the most powerful bombing raids in Middle East history. He also warned that the island’s oil infrastructure could be targeted if Tehran continues attempts to obstruct shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Explosions reported but oil facilities spared

Iran’s state-linked Fars News Agency reported that more than 15 explosions were heard on the island during the strikes, but said oil infrastructure remained undamaged.

According to the report, the attacks hit military positions including air defense systems, the Joshen Sea Base, an airport control tower and a helicopter hangar, with thick plumes of smoke rising from the area.

A video posted by Trump showed US strikes hitting airport facilities and the runway on the island, triggering large explosions and clouds of black smoke.

Located about 26 km off Iran’s coast and roughly 483 km northwest of the Strait of Hormuz, Kharg Island remains the backbone of Iran’s crude exports. Despite escalating tensions, Tehran has continued shipping oil from the terminal even as several Gulf producers temporarily halted exports amid fears of Iranian attacks.

US military moves and rising regional tensions

Trump also said US Navy escorts for oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz could begin “soon.” American officials were quoted as saying by CNN that the Pentagon is deploying a Marine Expeditionary Unit to the Middle East — a force typically consisting of about 2,500 Marines and sailors.

Satellite imagery analyzed by TankerTrackers.com showed several very large crude carriers loading oil at Kharg Island earlier this week. Iran’s crude exports have ranged between 1.1 million and 1.5 million barrels per day since February 28, when the war began.

The strikes also came a day after Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei vowed in his first public remarks to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed and warned neighboring countries to shut down US military bases on their territory or risk becoming targets.

Mojtaba is the son of Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the initial US-Israeli strikes on Tehran on February 28.

Since then, the conflict has claimed more than 2,000 lives across Iran and several Gulf states, pushing the region into its most serious war in decades.