Explosions have been reported on Kharg Island, a critical hub for Iran’s oil exports near the Strait of Hormuz, according to the semi-official Iranian news agency Mehr. The reports emerged on Tuesday, just hours before a deadline set by US President Donald Trump for Iran to reach a ceasefire agreement with Washington and reopen the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping.
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US outlet Axios, citing a senior American official, reported that the US military had carried out strikes against military targets on the island. The claims have not been independently confirmed.
The developments come amid rapidly escalating tensions in the region, with Washington warning of severe consequences if Tehran does not meet the demands outlined by the US administration.
Threats of major US strikes
Trump has warned that failure to comply with the US ultimatum could trigger a large-scale bombing campaign targeting key Iranian infrastructure.
The president said potential strikes could focus on Iran’s electric generating plants and bridges, promising a simultaneous and extensive attack on “each and every one” of those facilities.
Trump has repeatedly mentioned Kharg Island as a potential target in recent weeks.
On 30 March, he wrote on his Truth Social platform that the United States could conclude its “stay” in Iran by “blowing up and completely obliterating” the country’s electric power plants, oil wells and Kharg Island itself. He also mentioned the possibility of targeting desalination facilities.
In separate comments to the Financial Times, Trump suggested the US was considering several options regarding the island.
“Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don’t,” he said. “We have a lot of options.”
On Monday, the president again criticised the Iranian government, saying it would “pay a big price” for its actions.
Israeli strikes reported across Iran
At the same time, the Israeli military said it had carried out a broad wave of strikes across Iran.
In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had targeted dozens of sites it described as infrastructure linked to the Iranian government.
“A short while ago, the IDF completed a wide-scale wave of strikes targeting dozens of infrastructure sites belonging to the Iranian terror regime in several areas across Iran,” the military said.
The statement did not specify the exact locations of the sites that were struck.
Strategic importance of Kharg Island
Kharg Island is widely regarded as one of the most important elements of Iran’s energy infrastructure.
The island handles nearly 90% of Iran’s oil exports, serving as the primary loading point for crude shipments leaving the country.
Much of Iran’s mainland coastline is too shallow to accommodate large oil tankers, making the offshore facility essential to the country’s energy trade.
Its location in the Persian Gulf, opposite US military bases in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, also makes it particularly vulnerable during periods of heightened conflict.
The reported strikes come after Iran moved to close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route through which a significant share of the world’s oil supply passes.
The closure has increased volatility in global energy markets and raised concerns about wider disruption to oil and gas supplies.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 7 April 2026
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