FT News Briefing The US is leaving an Iranian island untouched
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Mar 10, 2026 
George Hammond, an FT tech and VC reporter from San Francisco, and Malcolm Moore, FT energy editor focused on oil and the Middle East, discuss why Kharg Island matters to Iran’s oil exports. They explore why striking or seizing the island is unlikely. They also cover the Pentagon’s dispute with Anthropic and what that fight means for AI deployment and military ties.
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Karg Island Is Iran's Oil Lifeline
- Karg Island is Iran's critical oil export hub and virtually irreplaceable for supertankers.
- Malcolm Moore says Karg handles about nine of every ten barrels Iran loads and sits 25 km off Iran's shallow coast, making it strategically vital.
Attacking Karg Would Cripple Iran Economically
- Destroying Karg would cripple Iran's oil revenues now and limit future governments' ability to monetize oil.
- Richard Nephew told Malcolm Moore that shutting Karg would make the Iranian economy 'bottom out' because it's oil-revenue dependent.
Karg Has Been Intentionally Spared So Far
- Despite widespread strikes on energy targets, Karg has not been hit, signaling restraint from the US and Israel.
- Moore notes that during previous conflicts supertankers continued loading at Karg and 'nobody has touched Karg Island in retaliation.'