Washington: US President Donald Trump stated that although much of Iran's strategic Kharg Island was destroyed in a US airstrike, he may order further attacks. US-allied Arab states in the region reported disruptions to their own petroleum industries amid Iranian retaliatory attacks.
According to Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty, Trump informed NBC News that the US strikes had "totally demolished" most of Kharg, which is located a short distance from the Iranian mainland. He added that the US forces hit the island "a few more times just for fun." Initially, Trump claimed that the US military had "totally obliterated" Iranian military targets on the island while leaving the oil infrastructure intact. However, he warned of targeting those sites if Iran disrupted traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials maintained that crude exports continued to flow from the Kharg Island terminal despite the extensive bombing.
Additionally, Iranian media reported a deadly strike within the country. Fars news agency, which is closely linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, reported that a missile struck a factory in Isfahan, killing at least 15 people. The US and Israeli militaries did not comment on these reports immediately.
The strike on Kharg Island signifies a significant escalation in the conflict that commenced on February 28 following large-scale US-Israeli strikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities. Kharg Island serves as Iran's main oil export outlet, accounting for about 90 percent of its oil exports. It is situated approximately 24 kilometers off the Iranian coast and around 480 kilometers north of the Strait of Hormuz.
In a separate statement, Trump expressed surprise over Tehran's decision to retaliate against other Middle Eastern countries following the US-Israeli strikes. He mentioned that Iran is looking to negotiate a resolution to the conflict but stated that the current terms proposed by Tehran do not meet his demands. Trump emphasized the necessity for solid terms, including Iran's commitment to abandon any nuclear ambitions.
Despite concerns over rising energy prices, Trump assured consumers that gas prices would decrease, suggesting they might even fall below pre-conflict levels once the situation in Iran stabilizes. Iran has threatened to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed and warned that oil prices could surge to $200, approximately double the current elevated prices.
Amidst this, US regional allies reported attacks on their petroleum-industry sites, contributing to fears of significant disruptions to global energy supplies. In Iraqi Kurdistan, operations at the Lanaz refinery in Irbil were halted following a drone strike that resulted in a fire, which has since been contained.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, quoted by state television, warned that Iran would target US company facilities in the region if its energy facilities were attacked. Iran also accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of being the launch site for the US attack on Kharg Island. Iranian military representatives advised the population in the UAE to evacuate ports, docks, and "American hideouts."
UAE officials denied launching the attack from their bases but asserted their right to defensive action. Anwar Gargash, a presidential adviser, stated that the UAE continues to prioritize reason and logic, seeking a peaceful resolution for Iran and the region.
The UAE Consulate in the autonomous Kurdish region of Iraq experienced its second attack within a week, resulting in injuries to two security personnel and damage to the building. Meanwhile, oil-loading operations were suspended in Fujairah, an essential global ship-refueling hub, after a drone interception led to a significant fire. Fujairah's strategic location on the Gulf of Oman, near the largely closed Strait of Hormuz, underscores its importance in maintaining energy flows to global markets.
In Abu Dhabi, ADNOC temporarily shut down its Ruwais refinery in response to a drone strike-induced fire at a facility within the complex. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for a missile strike on the US Prince Sultan base in Saudi Arabia, alleging the base's involvement in servicing fighter jets and storing fuel tankers.
The Saudi Defense Ministry reported intercepting and destroying ten drones over Riyadh and eastern regions, while Kuwait closed its airspace after drone attacks damaged its international airport's radar system.