Kharg Island is central to Iran's oil exports and therefore to its economy. Any attack on its energy infrastructure could also have serious consequences for global oil markets that have already been pushed to the brink.
Concerns about a wider energy crisis intensified on Monday as war in the Middle East continued and the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for global energy supplies, remained closed to many tankers. Around 20% of the world's oil trade normally passes through the strait.
