That being the case, the question is being raised about whether Kharg Island, the terminus for 90% of Iran’s oil exports, should be captured or destroyed as a next step in the battle. Without Kharg Island, Iran basically has little to no energy revenue to sustain the country and maintain its resistance to United States and Israel’s attacks. The mammoth facility on Kharg Island can store as much as 28 million barrels of oil, along with loading infrastructure. As one oil trader based in Dubai stated, “If it goes offline, Iran’s oil revenues collapse overnight.” (Source). By taking and controlling Kharg Island, the US and Israel could hasten the moment when Iran must make that decision and make deciding even harder for Iran’s citizens.

Source: Forbes March 12, 2026 13:18 UTC