US President Donald Trump has announced plans to take control of Iran’s Kharg Island, a key oil hub. The island, located off the coast of Iran, is a critical site for oil distribution and handles roughly 90% of the country’s crude oil exports.

Background on Kharg Island

Kharg Island is a five-mile stretch of land that is described by US officials as the ‘nexus for all the Iranian oil supply.’ The island has long been key to Iran’s economy, with a declassified CIA document from 1984 stating that the facilities are ‘the most vital in Iran’s oil system, and their continued operation is essential to Iran’s economic well-being.’

Trump has previously floated the idea of taking the key Iranian oil hub, and the US has struck the island multiple times. However, the US president’s latest comments mark a significant escalation as regional mediators push for dialogue over renewed fighting.

Potential Consequences

White House officials believe that taking Kharg Island would ‘totally bankrupt’ Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and could potentially lead to a swift end of the war. However, many inside the administration are wary of such a move, particularly given that it would require a significant number of ground troops to achieve.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.