The president of the United States, Donald Trump, has announced this Friday that the American Armed Forces have carried out an air attack against the strategic island of Kharg, in Iranian territory, although he has stressed that its oil infrastructure has not been hit "out of decency."
"A few moments ago, under my orders, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) carried out one of the most powerful bombings in the history of the Middle East and completely destroyed all military targets of Iran's crown jewel, Kharg Island," he announced on Truth Social, where he assured that "out of decency, (he has) decided not to destroy the island's oil infrastructure."
The American leader has warned, however, that he could "reconsider" future attacks against Jark's oil industry if Iran or another country interferes in "the free and safe passage" of the vessels that cross the Strait of Hormuz.
Along these lines, he has maintained that the Iranian forces have been left "without any capacity whatsoever" to respond to Washington's offensive. "There is nothing they can do about it!", the American leader has affirmed.
"Iran will never have a nuclear weapon, nor will it have the capacity to threaten the United States of America, the Middle East, or, in fact, the world. The Armed Forces of Iran, and all others involved with this terrorist regime, would do well to lay down their arms and save what is left of their country, which is not much!", he asserted in his message.
Shortly after announcing the operation, Trump has released a video with images of the bombings and has added that the alleged Iranian plans to "take over" the entire Middle East region and "completely annihilate" Israel have failed, "just like Iran".
Response and threats from Iran
A spokesperson for the Khatam al Anbiya Central Headquarters (KCHG) has issued a serious warning, reported by Iranian state television, in which it threatens attacks against any oil infrastructure in the Middle East in which United States companies participate.
"All oil, economic, and energy infrastructure belonging to oil companies in the region that have American shares or cooperate with the United States will be immediately destroyed and turned into ashes," assures the message issued "in response to the statements of the aggressor and terrorist president of the United States."
Iranian sources cited by the Fars agency have indicated that the bombing on Kharg Island has not reached oil facilities, despite the fact that around 15 detonations would have been registered in the enclave, which would have raised a thick column of smoke visible from the area.
Likewise, the Iranian authorities have indicated that the island's defenses were reactivated approximately one hour after the American attack, which would contradict Trump's version about the total destruction of the defensive systems.
Iranian media have pointed out that among the targets of the bombing would be Army defenses, the Goshen naval base, the airport control tower, and the helicopter hangar, although Tehran has not confirmed for now the extent of the damage.
Military escalation and strategic relevance of Khark
A few hours before making the attack public, Trump had ruled out in an interview with Fox News for the moment ordering an offensive against this key enclave in the Persian Gulf. "It does not occupy a very high place on my to-do list," he had indicated, reproaching that those types of issues affected his strategic room for maneuver.
The United States maintains its intention to intensify the military campaign on Iran. The head of the US Army Chief of Staff, General Dan Caine, has stated that this Friday would be "the most intense day" of the operation, after detailing that 6,000 targets have already been attacked in almost two weeks of offensive.
The island of Kharg, with an area of barely 24 square kilometers, is located about 25 kilometers south of the Iranian coast, in the Persian Gulf. It is one of the neuralgic enclaves for the crude oil trade of the Islamic republic, as approximately 90% of Iran's oil exports are channeled through its facilities.