Airstrikes have reportedly hit Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export centre, just ahead of a deadline set by Donald Trump, raising fears of a major escalation in the region.

US Targets Key Military Sites

A US official told Fox News that the military carried out overnight airstrikes on the island. The strikes reportedly targeted bunkers, radar systems, and ammunition storage facilities.

The official added that docking areas were not deliberately attacked. However, they could have been hit if Iranian forces had launched attacks from those locations.

Separate reports from Axios and Al Araby TV also confirmed the airstrikes.

Strategic Importance of Kharg Island

Kharg Island is considered a critical location for Iran’s oil exports, with nearly 90 percent of its petroleum shipments passing through it. Analysts have long viewed it as a key target in any potential US-Israel military operation.

The United States had earlier carried out strikes on military sites on the island between March 13 and 14.

Concerns Over Global Oil Supply

Trump has previously suggested capturing or destroying Iran’s oil infrastructure as a form of punishment. However, experts at the Center for Strategic and International Studies have warned that such actions could disrupt global oil supply.

They estimate that crude oil prices could rise by $10–12 per barrel if the island’s infrastructure is damaged.

At present, Brent crude is trading at around $110 per barrel. This is lower than last month’s peak of $119 during the conflict but still significantly higher than the pre-war level of $72.

Gulf Region Braces for Escalation

With Trump setting an 8 pm ET deadline for Iran to surrender, tensions in the Gulf region are rising. Both sides have signalled that they may intensify attacks if the deadline passes.

Countries in the region are preparing for a possible escalation, with Qatar warning that the situation could spiral out of control.

Trump issued a strong warning on Monday, threatening severe action against Iran. He said, “Every power plant will be out of business, burning, exploding and never to be used again. I mean complete demolition by 12 o’clock. It will happen over a period of four hours if we want it to.”

Risk to Energy and Water Infrastructure

Gulf nations are also concerned about potential retaliation from Iran. Any counterattack could target oil, gas, and desalination facilities, which are vital for the region.

While attacks on energy infrastructure have already hurt the economy, strikes on desalination plants could severely affect water supply. Major cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha depend heavily on these plants for drinking water.

According to Associated Press, desalination plants supply about 90 percent of Kuwait’s drinking water, 86 percent in Oman, and 70 percent in Saudi Arabia.