Al Jazeera
The United States could “take out” Iran’s Kharg island whenever it wants, the White House says, after an earlier report the Trump administration is considering plans to occupy or blockade the oil hub.
Asked about the Axios news outlet report, White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said in a statement: “The United States military can take out Kharg Island at any time if the president gives the order.”
Kharg island, 30km (12 miles) off Iran’s mainland, is a hub for roughly 90 percent of the country’s crude oil exports.
It was hit by US strikes over the weekend, but Iranian officials said exports continue normally and there were no casualties.
Trump threatened to target the island’s oil infrastructure if Iran continues to block the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which 20 percent of the world’s energy passes.
Asked about the Axios news outlet report, White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said in a statement: “The United States military can take out Kharg Island at any time if the president gives the order.”
Kharg island, 30km (12 miles) off Iran’s mainland, is a hub for roughly 90 percent of the country’s crude oil exports.
It was hit by US strikes over the weekend, but Iranian officials said exports continue normally and there were no casualties.
Trump threatened to target the island’s oil infrastructure if Iran continues to block the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which 20 percent of the world’s energy passes.
