Explosions hit Iran's Kharg Island after US-Israeli strikes
Multiple explosions rocked Iran's Kharg Island on Tuesday following US-Israeli airstrikes, according to Mehr News Agency. No casualties or damage details have been released. US President Trump had previously claimed all military targets on the island were destroyed and floated the idea of seizing Iran's key oil terminal. Türkiye is closely watching the escalation, as any disruption to Gulf oil exports would directly affect Turkish energy imports.
On Tuesday, Iranian media reported multiple explosions on Kharg Island following airstrikes by US and Israeli warplanes. Mehr News Agency stated that the attacks targeted the island, which serves as Iran’s primary oil export terminal in the Gulf. No official figures on casualties or infrastructure damage have been released so far. The strikes come as part of the ongoing US-Israeli offensive against Iran that began on February 28, which has already claimed over 1,340 lives, including that of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Trump’s previous threats
Last week, US President Donald Trump declared that all military targets on Kharg Island “have been completely destroyed.” He also expressed interest in “controlling” Iranian oil, suggesting that seizing the island remained an option. Tehran has not yet confirmed the extent of damage from Tuesday’s strikes. For Türkiye, which imports a significant portion of its crude from Gulf producers via the Strait of Hormuz, any prolonged disruption at Kharg Island would send energy prices soaring and strain the national economy.
Iranian retaliation and regional fallout
Since the US-Israeli campaign began, Iran has launched drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf states hosting American military assets. These counterattacks have caused casualties, damaged infrastructure, and disrupted global shipping and aviation. Ankara has repeatedly called for restraint and offered to mediate between the parties. Turkish officials fear that a full-scale assault on Kharg Island could block the strait for months, triggering a severe energy crisis not only for Türkiye but also for Europe and Asia.
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Türkiye’s strategic position
As a neighbor to Iran and a NATO member with close ties to the Gulf, Türkiye continues to balance its relationships. President Erdoğan has warned against targeting civilian energy infrastructure, emphasizing that such actions would have global repercussions. While no verified reports of oil spills or fires have emerged from Kharg Island, the situation remains volatile. Turkish energy companies are diversifying suppliers, but the loss of Iranian oil from the market would still create a supply gap. Ankara is in contact with both Washington and Tehran to prevent further escalation.
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