Iran Threatens to Mine Gulf in Response to Coastal Attacks Iran's Defence Council warned on Monday that an attack on the country's southern coast and islands would result in the closure of all Gulf shipping routes through the deployment of sea mines. The statement, released by state media, emphasized that such an attack would lead to the Gulf being effectively sealed off, with mines laid in a manner similar to the Strait of Hormuz. The Defence Council highlighted the potential for floating mines to be deployed from the coast, creating a situation where maritime traffic would face severe restrictions. The statement also referenced historical context, noting the failure of over 100 minesweepers in the 1980s to clear a small number of sea mines, underscoring the challenges of navigating mined waters. It reiterated that non-belligerent states must coordinate passage through the Strait of Hormuz with Iran, a requirement that has been in place for decades. Separately, U.S. officials are reportedly considering plans to either occupy or blockade Iran's Kharg Island, the country's primary oil export hub. This move is intended to pressure Tehran into reopening the Strait of Hormuz to all shipping, a critical artery for global oil trade. The U.S. strategy appears to focus on disrupting Iran's ability to leverage the Strait as a geopolitical tool, while also addressing concerns over the security of international maritime routes. The Defence Council's warning comes amid heightened tensions in the region, with Iran previously accusing the U.S. of escalating hostilities through military actions and sanctions. The threat to mine the Gulf underscores Iran's determination to protect its territorial waters and assert control over strategic maritime corridors.#iran #strait_of_hormuz #kharg_island #gulf #iran_defence_council
Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq sell off to end another brutal week as Iran war rages US stock losses accelerated on Friday as investors grappled with the escalating Iran conflict, which raised concerns about potential US military action to secure the Strait of Hormuz. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 fell by 0.9% and 1.5%, respectively, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite dropped 2%, marking its worst performance of the week. The declines followed reports that the Trump administration is considering plans to occupy or blockade Kharg Island, a critical Iranian oil export hub. Analysts warned that such a move could further strain already volatile oil markets. Oil prices fluctuated sharply as traders weighed the risk of prolonged Middle East tensions. Brent crude futures hovered near $105 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude remained around $97. The conflict has kept oil prices elevated, fueling fears of persistent inflation and delaying potential Federal Reserve rate cuts. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite declined for the fourth consecutive week, with the Nasdaq nearing correction territory as inflationary pressures mount. President Trump’s comments on Friday intensified market uncertainty. He stated he does not want a ceasefire with Iran, vowing to “obliterate” the country’s military capabilities. His remarks followed a surge in crude oil prices, which spiked amid renewed attacks on Persian Gulf targets. Analysts noted that the war’s impact on oil supply could keep prices high, further pressuring the economy. The energy sector bucked broader market trends, with shares of energy companies rising over 3% as oil prices climbed. However, most other sectors ended the week in the red, with Materials and Utilities lagging.#iran #dow_jones_industrial_average #s_p_500 #nasdaq_composite #kharg_island
Trump Says Iran Ready to Negotiate Ceasefire, But Not Ready to Make Deal President Donald Trump stated Saturday that Iran is willing to negotiate a ceasefire but that he is not prepared to finalize a deal, citing unsatisfactory terms. During a nearly 30-minute telephone interview with NBC News, Trump emphasized that while Iran has expressed interest in ending the conflict, the proposed conditions remain inadequate. He declined to specify what those terms would be, though he acknowledged that a commitment from Iran to abandon nuclear ambitions would be a key component. The president also outlined the potential trajectory of the U.S. military operation in Iran, which began last month with joint strikes by Israeli and U.S. forces. Iran has since retaliated by launching attacks on Israel and U.S. targets in neighboring countries. Trump noted that the operation has already significantly degraded Iran’s military capabilities, including its missile and drone infrastructure, and predicted that the nation’s ability to threaten the region would be “closed off relatively quickly.” He added that the strikes on Kharg Island, a strategic oil terminal, had “totally demolished” the site, though he hinted at the possibility of further attacks. In addition to addressing the conflict with Iran, Trump discussed efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route for global oil shipments. He claimed that several countries affected by Iran’s actions have pledged to collaborate with the U.S. in safeguarding the strait, though he did not name them. The president also mentioned that the U.S. Navy might escort ships through the strait, though he avoided confirming the details. Iran, meanwhile, has vowed to keep the strait closed and has called for higher oil prices amid the conflict.#iran #donald_trump #strait_of_hormuz #mohammad_khamenei #kharg_island
Kharg Island Strike Threatens Iran Oil Supply To China | Israel Attacks Iran An attack on Kharg Island, Iran's primary oil export hub, has raised concerns in China, the country’s largest buyer of Iranian crude. The island, which processes nearly 99% of Iran’s oil exports, plays a critical role in global energy supply. Oil shipments from the island traverse the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime chokepoint for international energy trade. Any disruption to this route could destabilize global oil markets and increase pressure on energy-dependent economies, including China. The incident has intensified fears of broader regional instability, with reports suggesting the attack may be linked to ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel. The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway through which a significant portion of the world’s oil flows, remains a focal point of geopolitical tensions. Analysts warn that even a temporary disruption could lead to spikes in oil prices and supply shortages, affecting economies reliant on imported energy. Iran’s reliance on Kharg Island underscores its strategic importance. The island serves as a key logistical node for Iran’s oil exports, with most shipments destined for Asian markets, particularly China. The attack has prompted discussions about the vulnerability of Iran’s energy infrastructure and the potential for further escalations in the region. Meanwhile, Israel’s involvement in the conflict has added another layer of complexity, with military actions and retaliatory threats heightening the risk of wider conflict. The situation has also drawn attention to the broader implications for global energy security. The Strait of Hormuz, already a critical artery for oil transportation, faces increasing threats from both regional and international actors.#iran #israel #china #strait_of_hormuz #kharg_island
Trump says US struck Iran's ‘crown jewel’ Kharg Island, warns Tehran against Hormuz blockade Kharg Island serves as the export terminal for 90 per cent of Iran's oil shipments and lies about 483 km northwest of the strait. Updated on: Mar 14, 2026 5:22 AM IST#iran #trump #kharg_island #hormuz #strait
Iran War: What Happens If Trump Pushes to Seize Kharg Island Kharg Island, a strategically vital hub often called Iran’s “oil lifeline,” has remained untouched during nearly two weeks of U.S. and Israeli-led strikes against Iran. The five-mile-long coral island, located about 15 miles off Iran’s northern coast in the Persian Gulf, serves as a critical export terminal for the country’s crude oil. It accounts for roughly 90% of Iran’s crude exports and has a daily loading capacity of around 7 million barrels. Analysts warn that any attempt to attack or seize the island would carry significant geopolitical and economic risks. The Trump administration has reportedly discussed seizing Kharg Island, according to an Axios report citing unnamed sources. White House officials have previously indicated that oil prices could drop sharply once the conflict concludes, while Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that the president maintains all options. However, experts caution that such a move would require a ground troop operation, which the U.S. appears reluctant to undertake. Kharg’s location in deep water makes it a key asset for oil supertankers, according to Francis Galgano, a military geography specialist at Villanova University. He noted that capturing the island could provide maximum leverage over Tehran, but the operation would demand a substantial military effort. Galgano estimated that deploying 5,000 troops to secure and hold the island would be necessary, a task that could strain U.S. resources. The potential seizure of Kharg could have severe consequences for global oil markets. JPMorgan analysts warned that disabling the terminal would risk up to half of Iran’s national oil production, as the country lacks viable export alternatives.#strait_of_hormuz #trump_administration #kharg_island #axios #jpmorgan
White House Considering a Raid to Seize Kharg Island The Trump administration is reportedly evaluating a series of special operations against Iran, including a potential raid to capture Kharg Island, according to Axios. The island, situated at the northernmost point of the Arabian Gulf, serves as a critical hub for Iran’s oil exports. It hosts the main crude loading port, which processes the majority of Iran’s oil shipments. By capacity, the facility could handle significantly more oil than Iran’s current national output, with its primary buyers being privately owned refineries in China. Kharg Island’s strategic position near the shipping routes of Iraq and Kuwait makes it a key target for U.S. military planners. Officials cited during the Axios report mentioned the island in discussions about recovering Iran’s high-enriched uranium fuel supply from the Isfahan tunnel complex, which was previously damaged by U.S. strikes. Seizing Kharg could provide a logistical base for future operations in Iran and allow the U.S. to exert control over regional sea lanes. Iran’s ability to reclaim the island is deemed unlikely in the near term. The U.S. has established air dominance over the area, and Iranian naval forces have suffered heavy losses from U.S. Central Command actions. CENTCOM recently reported sinking over 30 Iranian warships since the conflict began. According to Jarrod Agen, a former Lockheed marketing executive now leading the National Energy Dominance Council, the ultimate objective is to secure Iran’s oil supply. Agen emphasized that controlling Iran’s oil would reduce concerns about disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, stating, “We’re not going to have to worry about these issues in the Strait of Hormuz because we’re going to get all of the oil out of the hands of terrorists.#iran #strait_of_hormuz #white_house #kharg_island #central_command
Iran's Strategic Oil Island Kharg Faces Military Threat Amid Middle East Conflict Kharg Island, a small coral landmass situated in the northern Persian Gulf, has emerged as a critical hub for Iran’s oil industry. The island, located approximately 15 miles off the Iranian mainland, serves as the primary export point for nearly 90% of the country’s crude oil. Crude shipments pass through the island before traveling via the Strait of Hormuz to global markets, with a daily loading capacity of around 7 million barrels. Despite the escalating Middle East conflict, the island has so far remained untouched by U.S. and Israeli military operations. Analysts suggest that U.S. President Donald Trump may consider seizing the island as a strategic move to disrupt Iran’s oil exports and gain leverage over the regime. However, such an operation would pose significant risks. A ground troop invasion would likely draw prolonged retaliation from Iran, including drone attacks, and could further destabilize an already volatile region. The potential seizure of Kharg Island could also exacerbate energy market volatility, as oil prices have already surged past $100 per barrel due to ongoing hostilities. Petras Katinas, a research fellow at the London-based defense think tank RUSI, warned that capturing the island would “cut off Iran’s oil lifeline,” a vital revenue source for the regime. He noted that while the Strait of Hormuz has become a bottleneck for Iranian exports, controlling Kharg Island could provide the U.S. with leverage during future negotiations, regardless of which political faction emerges victorious. However, Katinas emphasized that the U.S. administration appears hesitant to commit ground forces to such an operation.#iran #donald_trump #strait_of_hormuz #kharg_island #rusi
