The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) launched a large-scale precision strike on Kharg Island, Iran, on Saturday, March 14, 2026, targeting naval mine and missile storage facilities. The action, described by President Donald Trump as one of the most powerful in the history of the Middle East, comes amid heightened tensions in the region and concerns over potential disruptions to global energy supplies.
President Trump announced the strikes Friday night, stating that U.S. Forces had “obliterated” the strategic territory, which he said was being used to circumvent international sanctions. According to CENTCOM’s official Twitter account, the strike successfully hit more than 90 Iranian military targets on Kharg Island.
“You’ll see few moments ago, by my order, United States Central Command executed one of the most powerful bombardments in the history of the Middle East and completely destroyed all military targets on Kharg Island,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
Last night, U.S. Forces executed a large-scale precision strike on Kharg Island, Iran. The strike destroyed naval mine storage facilities, missile storage bunkers, and multiple other military sites. U.S. Forces successfully struck more than 90 Iranian military targets on Kharg… pic.twitter.com/2X1glD4Flt
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 14, 2026
Even as the president stated that the strikes exclusively targeted military sites, he warned that he would reconsider not targeting oil infrastructure on the island if Iran attempts to block the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil transport. Approximately 20% of the world’s oil supply passes through the strait, and any disruption could significantly impact energy markets. The possibility of such a disruption has already contributed to recent increases in oil prices.
“If Iran, or anyone else, does anything to interfere with the free and safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider that decision,” Trump said.
According to reports, Iran is selectively allowing some ships to pass through the strait. Reuters reported that two Indian-flagged liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tankers were authorized to navigate the waterway, and Turkey’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure separately stated that Iran allowed a Turkish-owned vessel to transit the passage.
Kharg Island is a vital economic hub for Iran, handling approximately 90% of the country’s oil exports. It serves as the largest oil storage and loading center in Iran, capable of accommodating supertankers that deliver oil to buyers, primarily in Asia, with China being Iran’s largest oil customer. The development underscores growing regional tensions and the potential for further escalation.
Even under Western sanctions, Iranian oil continues to be sold through evasion tactics, such as ship-to-ship transfers and the use of tankers operating outside tracking systems. Analysts point to Kharg Island as a key starting point for these operations, essential for the regime to maintain foreign currency revenue.
The island’s security was provided by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, an organization directly linked to the Iranian regime and responsible for much of the security of oil facilities. Revenue generated from oil exports from the location is considered crucial for funding the military apparatus and maintaining the functioning of the Tehran dictatorship.
“Iran has no ability to defend anything we decide to attack – there is nothing they can do about it. Iran will never have a nuclear weapon, and will never be able to threaten the United States of America, the Middle East, or, frankly, the world,” Trump stated. He added that, following the U.S. Action, “the Iranian armed forces, and all those involved with this terrorist regime, would do well to lay down their arms and save what remains of their country, which isn’t much.”
