The military confrontation between United States, Israel and Iran has entered a new and more dangerous phase after the latest American airstrikes on Kharg Island, one of Iran’s most strategic locations. According to U.S. military officials, American forces carried out large-scale precision strikes against more than 90 Iranian military targets on the island, including missile depots, naval mine storage facilities and military infrastructure.
The operation targeted military assets while deliberately avoiding the island’s oil export infrastructure, which remains central to Iran’s economy and global energy supply. Kharg Island is considered the main hub for Iranian oil exports, handling roughly 90% of the country’s crude shipments, making it one of the most strategically important locations in the entire conflict.
Contents
Trump’s warning over the Strait of Hormuz
Following the strikes, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a series of statements regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, the critical maritime corridor connecting the Persian Gulf to global shipping routes. Trump declared that the United States and its allies would ensure that the strait remains open for international shipping “one way or another.”
He also warned that Iran’s oil infrastructure on Kharg Island could become a direct target if Tehran continues interfering with commercial traffic or attacking vessels in the area. In addition, the U.S. administration has reportedly called on several countries — including major naval powers — to deploy warships to help protect shipping lanes in the Gulf. These statements underline the strategic importance of the strait, through which a significant portion of the world’s oil supply normally passes.
Iranian retaliation across the Gulf
While the United States intensifies its military campaign, Iran has continued to respond with retaliatory actions across the Gulf region. Iranian leaders have warned that countries hosting Western forces could face further missile or drone attacks, and have threatened to strike energy facilities linked to U.S. allies.
Previous Iranian operations have already targeted Western installations and military bases in the Gulf, highlighting Tehran’s strategy of expanding the battlefield beyond its own territory. This approach aims to increase pressure on U.S. allies and raise the geopolitical cost of the military campaign.
Western bases and foreign troops in the region
The latest developments have renewed concern over the safety of Western military personnel stationed across the Gulf. Several bases in the region host multinational forces, including troops from European countries such as Italy, alongside American and allied soldiers.
These installations serve as:
- air operation hubs
- logistics and intelligence centers
- strategic naval support facilities
Because of their role in supporting Western military operations, analysts warn they could remain high-priority targets in the next phase of the conflict.
A conflict entering a decisive phase
With the bombing of Kharg Island and the threats surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, the war appears to be entering a decisive stage. The combination of direct strikes on strategic infrastructure, expanding regional retaliation and rising naval tensions in the Gulf has significantly increased the risk of a broader conflict across the Middle East.
Diplomats and security analysts warn that the coming days could prove crucial in determining whether the crisis remains limited or evolves into a full-scale regional war involving multiple states.
