US President Donald Trump announced that all military targets on the Iranian island of Kharg have been destroyed. But where is it located and why is it important?
This is commented by the BBC.
Kharg is a relatively small island, about 8 km long, located about 35 km from the Iranian coast.
Very few people live on it, but 90% of Iran's oil exports pass through the oil terminal located there.
Tankers that export Iranian oil to China are loaded from there.
If access to the island is cut off, this will deal a serious blow to the Iranian economy. China is a major buyer of Iranian oil and natural gas.
As the BBC's diplomatic correspondent Paul Adams reports, there have been recent speculations that US troops will at some point try to seize Kharg Island. This would not only stop Iranian oil exports but also create a springboard for military action against Iran.
These versions have received additional impetus amid media reports that US amphibious warships carrying at least 2,000 marines are heading to the Persian Gulf.
The Pentagon declined to comment on this information, but if confirmed, such a mission would give the US military new opportunities.