The US and Israel have shifted their military focus from Iran's land-based sites to its vital maritime nodes in the Persian Gulf. Early Tuesday, explosions rocked Kharg Island, a key oil export terminal, in a series of targeted strikes.
The attack came 12 hours ahead of the 48-hour deadline set by US President Donald Trump for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face the 'complete obliteration' of its energy and transport infrastructure.
Kharg Island, described as Iran's 'crown jewel,' handles nearly 90% of the country's crude oil exports. Multiple hits were reported on the island's loading jetties and storage tanks, which held an estimated 18 million barrels of oil.
The US-Israeli war on Iran has entered its second month, with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz causing global oil prices to surge past $100 a barrel.
Other key territories in the region include Hormuz Island, known as the 'Rainbow Island,' Qeshm Island, home to a secret underground 'missile city,' and Larak Island, which allows Iran to control shipping lanes through the strait.
The US and Israel have targeted Iran's maritime hubs in a bid to weaken its blockade capabilities and restrict passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway carrying roughly 20% of the world's oil and LNG.
