NEW DELHI: US airstrikes on Kharg Island, the nerve centre of Iran's oil export network, have sharply escalated tensions in West Asia and raised fears of further disruption in global energy supplies. While Iran claimed that oil operations on the island continued despite the attack, it warned that retaliation could target US assets and shipping routes across the Gulf.
The focus on Kharg Island underscores its strategic importance. Located about 25 km off Iran's southern coast in the northern Persian Gulf, the small coral island serves as the country's primary oil export hub. Nearly 90% of Iran's crude exports pass through its terminals, making it one of the most critical pieces of energy infrastructure in the region.
