Israel and America’s war with Iran has been going on continuously for more than four weeks in the Middle East. During this war, several times there was talk of America attacking and occupying Kharg Island located in the Persian Gulf, but Iran is fully engaged in the security of this small island spread over an area of 22 square kilometers and this is because Kharg Island is considered the most important center of Iran’s economy and energy security.
This island, which is about 8 kilometers long and 4 to 5 kilometers wide, may be small in size, but its strategic and economic importance for Iran is very big, because this small island is the main gate to Iran’s oil treasury. Considering the characteristics of this very important island, the famous Iranian writer Jalal al-e-Ahmad called it an orphan pearl of the Persian Gulf in the 1960s.
What is the importance of Kharg Island for Iran?
Kharg Island is located about 55 kilometers north-west of Iran’s Bushehr Port, while it is about 15 nautical miles (about 28 km) from the country’s mainland. If we talk about the importance of this island for Iran, then it is very extraordinary. The island processes about 90 percent of the country’s total oil exports and handles about 950 million or 950 million barrels of oil every year. The island is an important link between Iran’s oil fields and global markets. For this reason, it is also called the economic lifeline and crown jewel of Iran.
How much does Iran earn annually from the oil of Kharg Island?
The export of crude oil from Kharg Island greatly strengthens Iran’s economy. According to the information, Iran receives revenue of about 78 billion dollars (about Rs 7.38 lakh crore) every year from Kharg Island. At the same time, in the year 2025, Iran will earn about 53 billion dollars (about Rs 5 lakh crore) from oil exports in the global market, which is about 11 percent of its annual GDP. The bulk of crude oil exports from Iran’s Kharg Island go to China, which remains a major buyer of Iranian oil despite Western sanctions.
How much will Iran suffer from the attack on Kharg Island?
If Kharg Island is attacked and its energy infrastructure is damaged, then about 90 percent of Iran’s crude oil exports may come to a halt and its impact will not only be limited to Iran, but it may also cause major upheaval in the global oil market.
Has Kharg Island ever been attacked before?
Iran’s Kharg Island has been targeted in the past during regional conflicts. The island was bombed several times by the Iraqi Army during the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s. Iran’s crude oil export infrastructure was significantly damaged in these attacks.
Iran equips Kharg Island with strong security
Keeping these threats in mind, Iran has equipped Kharg Island with strong security. This includes deployment of air defense systems, strong structures and underground storage tanks. It has been designed in such a way that despite continuous military attacks, Iran’s oil exports can continue from here.
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