What to know about Kharg Island, the Iranian oil site struck by U.S.
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Kharg Island is a small, heavily fortified, and strategically valuable island off Iran's northern coast.
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World Why is Kharg Island important? What to know about the Iranian island struck by the U.S. By Imtiaz Tyab Imtiaz Tyab Senior foreign correspondent Imtiaz Tyab is a CBS News senior foreign correspondent based in London and reports for all platforms, including the "CBS Evening News," "CBS Mornings," "CBS Sunday Morning" and CBS News 24/7. He has extensive experience reporting from major global flashpoints, including the Middle East and the war on terror. Read Full Bio Imtiaz Tyab March 14, 2026 / 11:30 AM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google President Trump said the U.S. military "totally obliterated" every military target on Kharg Island during large-scale precision strikes Friday, thrusting the strategic small isle into the global spotlight. Just 20 miles off Iran's northern Gulf coast, Kharg Island is Iran's hub for oil exports and a key bargaining chip Trump plans to use to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and safe. The president said U.S. forces avoided the island's oil export infrastructure, but warned Iran that if they "do anything to interfere with the Free and Safe Passage of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision." Here's what to know about the heavily fortified island and why it is strategically valuable. What is Kharg Island? Kharg Island lies roughly 20 miles off Iran's northern Gulf coast. For decades, it has served as Iran's main oil export terminal, historically handling 85–95% of the country's crude exports. Tankers load up on the island before heading through the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. If the island's loading facilities were knocked out, Iran's ability to export oil would collapse almost immediately. Oil revenue, earned mainly by selling crude to China, remains one of the Islamic Republic's most important sources of funding. Strikes on the oil infrastructure would be a massive escalation in the war that could send global oil markets into a panic, and threats to the island would pressure Tehra...
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