TEHRAN, Mar 14 (APP): Iran on Saturday warned that any strikes targeting its oil and energy infrastructure would trigger retaliatory attacks against energy assets of companies cooperating with the United States in the region.
The warning came after US President Donald Trump said American forces had struck military targets on Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export hub. The island handles nearly 90% of Iran’s crude oil exports.
Trump said the strikes targeted only military installations and avoided oil infrastructure, but warned that Washington could reconsider that approach if Iran interferes with shipping through the vital Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement, the Iranian military said any attack on the country’s energy sector would prompt retaliatory action against oil facilities belonging to companies linked to the United States across the region.
Oil markets on edge
Kharg Island lies about 26 kilometres off Iran’s coast and roughly 483 kilometres northwest of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway that carries around one-fifth of global oil shipments.
Despite heightened tensions, satellite imagery showed several large crude oil tankers loading cargo at the terminal earlier this week. Analysts estimate Iran exported between 1.1 million and 1.5 million barrels of oil per day since the conflict began.
Energy analysts say even minor damage to Kharg Island’s pipelines, terminals or storage facilities could significantly disrupt global oil supply.
Strait of Hormuz tensions
Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei earlier vowed to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed and urged regional countries to shut down US military bases or face potential retaliation.
In response, Trump said the US Navy would soon begin escorting oil tankers through the strategic waterway.
European countries are also considering deploying naval forces to help secure shipping routes through the strait, according to officials involved in the discussions.
War spreads across the region
After nearly two weeks of fighting involving Israel and Iran, the conflict has expanded across the Middle East, with airstrikes and missile attacks reported in several countries.
Thousands of people have been killed and millions displaced, particularly in Iran and Lebanon. Israeli airstrikes have also targeted sites linked to the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.
The Israeli military said its air force had struck more than 200 targets in western and central Iran, including missile launchers, air defence systems and weapons production facilities.
Meanwhile, the United States is reinforcing its military presence in the region, including deploying the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli along with thousands of additional Marines.