• Source:JND

Amid reports of the United States preparing for a ground offensive to seize the Kharg Island, President Donald Trump on Monday dropped a big hint, saying that his favourite thing is to take control of the Iranian oil.

During an interview with The Financial Times, Trump said, "To be honest with you, my favourite thing is to take the oil in Iran, but some stupid people back in the US say, 'Why are you doing that?' But they're stupid people," while dismissing domestic criticism, adding that opponents of such a move are "stupid people."

The attack on or ground invasion of the Kharg would severely hit Iran's oil exports, which is a key source of revenue for the Islamic Republic. The move could also mark a major escalation and carries the threat of an even wider war with more fierce retaliatory attacks on the entire Gulf energy infrastructure and further drive up oil prices, as Iran has warned.

Why is Kharg important?

Kharg, a small coral island, is important for Iran as it acts as a terminal through which the country exports most of its oil. Even as war has escalated and Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, it continued to export its oil, mainly to China, bringing a huge revenue.

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If destroyed or lost, Iran would lose a major revenue source. Besides, its seizure or destruction also carried repercussions for the entire world as it would aggravate the oil crunch in the global markets, which is already at a time of soaring prices.

Kharg Island has several storage tanks and housing facilities for thousands of workers. The destruction of Kharg would also harm the fauna and historical and religious sites. According to a report by AP, Gazelles roam freely near the refineries and depots, and Kharg is home to a medieval Portuguese fortress and the ruins of one of the oldest Christian monasteries in the Persian Gulf.

Not just oil and revenue, Iran could lose more islands if Kharg falls

Seizure of Kharg also threatens Iran's overall control of the Strait of Hormuz, as some other small but strategically important islands could also become a flashpoint that Iran could lose.

The three tiny Persian Gulf islands, Abu Musa and Greater and Lesser Tunb, guarding the approach to the Strait of Hormuz, are in the vicinity and have long been a source of tensions between Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

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These islands were seized by the Iranian forces in 1971, just before the formation of the UAE. Since then, Iran has augmented its military presence on the islands.

Another important island that could be at risk for Iran is Qeshm Island, the largest in the Persian Gulf and home to about 150,000 people. Iran had claimed that the US stuck a desalination plant on Qeshm Island o March 8, a claim not yet acknowledged by Washington.


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