"Kharg Island," a small island in the Persian Gulf, is the core of Iran's oil exports, accounting for nearly 90% of the country's total. Analysts fear that if it becomes a target of attacks by the U.S. or Israel, global oil prices could rise sharply immediately.
Kharg Island: Iran's Strategic Energy Hub
Kharg Island is a small island in the Persian Gulf, located about 24 kilometers off the Iranian coast, but it holds great importance for the country's economy as the central hub for nearly all of Iran's crude oil exports.
Data shows that Iran, the fourth-largest oil producer in OPEC, exports about nine out of ten barrels of crude oil through this island, with export volumes around 1.5 million barrels per day, primarily destined for China.
Energy analysts and global oil market traders closely monitor oil tanker movements at this island because even minor changes in export volumes can immediately cause volatility in global oil prices.
Key Infrastructure of the Oil Export Center
Crude oil from production sites in Iran is transported via underwater pipelines to Kharg Island, where it is stored in large oil tanks awaiting loading onto ships.
The facility has oil storage tanks with a capacity of up to 30 million barrels and can dock up to eight oil tankers simultaneously.
Iranian officials state that the port can load more than 6 million barrels of oil per day and, in some cases, increase capacity to as much as 10 million barrels per day.
Most of the island's population consists of oil industry workers who commute through an airport managed by the National Iranian Oil Company.
Security Risks
Although Kharg Island hosts an Iranian naval base, its distance from the mainland makes it difficult to defend against air attacks.
In the past, the island was targeted by Iraq during the Iran-Iraq war, underscoring its strategic importance to Iran.
Analysts warn that if a severe attack damages this oil export facility, Iran may respond with immediate military retaliation.
Tensions from U.S.–Israel Attacks
Tensions in the Middle East have escalated since the U.S. and Israel launched airstrikes on targets in Iran starting 28 February.
Although some energy infrastructure in Tehran has been hit, Kharg Island has not yet been directly attacked.
However, Iran has accelerated oil shipments from the island to export as much oil as possible before the conflict intensifies.
What Would Happen if Kharg Island Were Attacked?
Analysts believe that if Kharg Island becomes a target, most of Iran's oil exports would be disrupted for weeks or even months.
Oil from the island passes through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy route, where the number of vessels passing has already dropped significantly since the war began.
A disruption of oil exports from Kharg Island could cause immediate spikes in global oil prices and increase inflationary pressures in many major industrial countries, including the U.S.
For these reasons, analysts view Kharg Island not just as Iran's energy infrastructure but as a strategic point capable of directly impacting the global economy.
Source:channelnewsasia
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