Kharg Island: Iran’s Oil Lifeline at Risk in Escalating Tensions

Kharg Island, Iran’s primary oil export hub, handles about 90% of the country’s crude exports and can load around 7 million barrels per day, making it a critical chokepoint that would be highly strategic to seize but would require ground forces and face drone threats. Meanwhile, renewed strikes on Iran and ongoing conflict have pushed crude prices higher and strained Hormuz shipping, highlighting how any move on Kharg could trigger further market volatility while potentially denying Tehran vital revenue and granting leverage in negotiations.