What is Hag Island? Trump considers seizing Iranian oil lifeline in Middle East conflict

This coral island is about 15 miles from the Iranian mainland and is the center of Iran’s oil industry.

It is estimated that nearly 90% of the country’s crude oil exports pass through the island before tankers navigate the Strait of Hormuz.

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Before taking effect in the U.S.Israeli attack In late February, Tehran was reported to have significantly increased output from Kharg, reaching nearly 4 million barrels per day (bpd), a near-record level and well above its typical benchmark of around 1.5 million bpd, according to energy analytics firm Kpler.

Khag Island’s economic significance to Iran makes it particularly vulnerable to potential military threats. However, experts say any effort to seize it would likely require a ground force operation, something the United States appears hesitant to do.

Experts further pointed out that if washington The aim is to increase pressure beyond airstrikes, and seizing or disabling Khag Island’s oil infrastructure could deprive Tehran of one of its most important financial resources. Given its key role in the global energy supply chain, any attack on the island could also cause a sharp rise in international oil prices, making it one of the most critical targets in the current conflict in the Gulf.

Rubin mentioned that he had emphasized the island’s strategic importance to officials in Washington and believed discussions had already taken place within the U.S. National Security Council. However, he expressed uncertainty about whether the matter had reached the small group of advisers believed to influence Trump’s decisions on the Gulf War.

In the 1980s, President Ronald Reagan authorized strikes on multiple Iranian maritime export facilities after Tehran mined the Strait of Hormuz, although Haqq itself was not among the targets.

During the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s, the island’s oil terminal suffered severe damage due to attacks. Iraqi strength. Nonetheless, Iran rebuilt the facility and resumed operations, Politico’s E&E News reported.

Tehran has warned that such an attack would trigger retaliation against energy infrastructure across the region.

“Israel should destroy all of Iran’s oil fields and energy industry on Khag Island. This will destroy the Iranian economy and topple the regime,” Lapid said on X.

On the other hand, Trump administration officials have considered various strategies, such as taking control of Khag Island and its oil facilities, or conducting commando raids to gain access to Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium, Axios reported. Asked about the potential for such actions in an interview with ABC, Trump did not dismiss the idea, saying: “Everything is on the table.”