ThePrint CutTheClutter: Tiny Kharg island- Iran’s key oil hub at the centre of Gulf war with Trump mulling a takeover
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Mar 20, 2026 Tension around the Strait of Hormuz and how it lets Iran threaten shipping. The strategic geography and tiny size of Kharg island as a pivotal oil-export hub. Past attacks on Kharg during the Iran–Iraq oil war and its role in Iran’s oil infrastructure. Reports of Western naval responses and discussions about seizing Kharg as a lever in Gulf confrontations.
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Kharg Island Is Iran's Deepwater Oil Hub
- Kharg Island is strategically key because its surrounding waters are unusually deep, allowing supertankers to dock and load Iranian crude directly at sea.
- Kharg hosts pipelines and storage (about 30 million barrels capacity historically) that turn it into Iran's main deep-water terminal for exports, mainly to China.
Trump Mentioned Taking Kharg Decades Ago
- Donald Trump has publicly discussed taking Kharg Island since at least 1988, saying "If Iran attacked American forces, I would do a number on Kharg Island."
- Shekhar Gupta cites Trump's long-standing remarks and a 1988 interview to show the idea predates his presidency.
Carter Also Considered Taking Kharg In 1980
- The idea of seizing Kharg has historical precedent: Jimmy Carter considered taking the island during the 1979-80 Iran hostage crisis as leverage.
- Shekhar Gupta references Jack Anderson's 1980 report that mentioned this contingency plan.