Kharg Island processes 90% of Iran's crude oil exports
The island is heavily militarized as a 'Forbidden Island' with restricted access
Ancient archaeological sites coexist with modern oil infrastructure
The island has strategic value dating back to ancient times through colonial periods
Recent infrastructure expansions continue despite international sanctions
📖 Full Retelling
Kharg Island, the strategic 'Forbidden Island' in Iran's Bushehr province operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, processes 90% of the nation's crude oil exports while guarding millennia of human history, with its deep-water terminals handling approximately 950 million barrels annually despite years of international sanctions. Located 55km northwest of Bushehr port and 15 nautical miles from the Iranian mainland, this 22-square-kilometer coral outcrop serves as the undisputed economic backbone of Iran's energy sector, receiving crude from major offshore fields and shipping primarily to Asian markets with China as the leading importer. Beyond its modern industrial function, Kharg Island boasts a rich historical tapestry dating back to the end of the second millennium BC, spanning Elamite, Achaemenid, and Sassanid eras. The island's strategic maritime value attracted colonial powers, with Portuguese and Dutch forces establishing trading posts and forts in the 18th century before being expelled. In the 20th century, Reza Shah Pahlavi transformed it into an exile for political prisoners before its selection as an oil export hub in 1958, with the first major shipment departing in August 1960. Today, Kharg Island represents a unique convergence of ancient heritage and modern energy infrastructure, featuring archaeological sites like the Mir Mohammad Shrine, ancient burial grounds representing multiple faiths, and an Achaemenid inscription celebrating one of the oldest records mentioning the 'Persian Gulf.' Despite enduring devastating bombardments during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s, the island has been rebuilt and expanded, with recent infrastructure additions in May 2025 increasing storage capacity by two million barrels.
🏷️ Themes
Energy Security, Historical Heritage, Geopolitical Strategy
Kharg or Khark Island (Persian: جزیره خارک) is a continental island of Iran in the Persian Gulf. The island is 25 km (16 mi) off the coast of Iran and 483 km (300 mi) northwest of the Strait of Hormuz. Its total area is 20 km2 (7.7 sq mi).
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), also known as the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, is a multi-service primary branch of the Iranian Armed Forces. It was officially established by Ruhollah Khomeini as a military branch in May 1979 in the aftermath of the Iranian Revolution. Whereas the Ira...
1959 American adventure crime film by Charles B. Griffith
Forbidden Island is a 1959 American adventure crime film directed by Charles B. Griffith starring Jon Hall. It was his debut as director, although he had directed second unit on Attack of the Crab Monsters. A young Don Preston from the Mothers of Invention appeared in this film.
The Persian Gulf, sometimes called the Arabian Gulf, is a mediterranean sea in West Asia. The body of water is an extension of the Arabian Sea and the larger Indian Ocean located between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran (Persia). It is connected to the Gulf of Oman in the east by the Strait of Hormuz.
Features | Energy The ‘orphan pearl’: Inside Kharg, the beating heart of Iran’s oil empire Known as the ‘Forbidden Island’ due to strict military control, this ancient coral outcrop processes 90% of Iran’s crude exports while guarding millennia of human history. Listen to this article | 7 mins By Mohammad Mansour Click here to share on social media Share Save Add Al Jazeera on Google Beneath the scorching sun of the Gulf, the rhythmic hum of millions of barrels of crude oil rushing through subsea pipelines vibrates against ancient coral rock. Here, the celebrated Iranian writer Jalal Al-e-Ahmad once stood, gazing at the isolated shores, and famously dubbed the landmass the “orphan pearl of the Persian Gulf”. Today, this 22-square-kilometre (8.5-square-mile) coral outcrop in the Bushehr province is widely known among Iranians as the “Forbidden Island”. Shrouded in intense secrecy and guarded by the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps , it is a place where entry is strictly restricted to those with official security clearances. Yet, beyond the imposing steel fences and military watchtowers lies a pristine landscape where millennia of diverse human history quietly coexist with the beating heart of Iran’s modern energy empire. The petroleum nerve centre Located 55km (34 miles) northwest of the Bushehr port and 15 nautical miles (equivalent to about 28km) from the Iranian mainland, Kharg Island is the undisputed economic backbone of Iran. The island processes 90 percent of the nation’s total oil exports, handling approximately 950 million barrels every year. Measuring just 8km (5 miles) in length and 4 to 5km (2.5 to 3 miles) in width, its deep surrounding waters provide a natural geographic advantage. This depth allows colossal supertankers to dock safely and load crude destined primarily for Asian markets, with China standing as the leading importer. According to the Iranian Ministry of Petroleum, the island’s facilities act as the vital nerve centre for the sector...
