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By Peter Aitken
Politics Weekend Editor
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President Donald Trump on Friday evening announced that the U.S. carried out "one of the most powerful bombing raids" in the history of the Middle East, obliterating "every military target" on Kharg Island.
"Moments ago, at my direction, the United States Central Command executed one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East, and totally obliterated every MILITARY target in Iran’s crown jewel, Kharg Island," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
"Our Weapons are the most powerful and sophisticated that the World has ever known but, for reasons of decency, I have chosen NOT to wipe out the Oil Infrastructure on the Island," he continued. "However, should Iran, or anyone else, do anything to interfere with the Free and Safe Passage of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision."
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Why It Matters
Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz as U.S. and Israeli strikes intensified this week, with cargo traffic effectively halted through the narrow maritime pathway that carries a fifth of the world's oil.
Oil spiked to over $100 a barrel earlier this week, marking the first time in four years it has crossed that threshold, and remains close to that price even after the U.S. temporarily lifted sanctions on Russian oil at sea.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth earlier this week described the military action, termed Operation Epic Fury, as "an extraordinary offensive" that is rapidly degrading Iran's military, saying: "Every single day, this regime in Iran has less missiles, has less launchers. Their factories work less, and their navy is being eviscerated."
The International Energy Agency (IEA) said Wednesday that its members would release a record 400 million barrels of oil from their emergency reserves to ease market pressure caused by threats to oil supplies traveling through the Strait of Hormuz. Some economists warned that it would do little to reassure markets.
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What To Know
In vowing to not let a "single liter of oil" pass through to the U.S or its allies, Iran has attacked at least 20 vessels, effectively shutting down the shipping lane for 12 days and counting. Pictures of tankers on fire have sent oil prices skyrocketing.
U.S. officials have downplayed criticism and concerns about the impact closing the strait has had: Hegseth on Friday during a Pentagon news conference told reporters that "for decades, Iran has threatened the shipping industry with Hormuz: This is always what they do—hold the strait hostage," adding: "We have been dealing with it and don't need to worry about it."
The U.S. delivered on that promise Friday with the strike, which Trump argued was necessary to force Iran's hand regarding Hormuz, stressing again that the war started over Iran's potential to create a nuclear weapon—something he has vowed would never happen.
"During my First Term, and currently, I rebuilt our Military into the Most Lethal, Powerful, and Effective Force, by far, anywhere in the World," he wrote. "Iran has NO ability to defend anything that we want to attack — There is nothing they can do about it! Iran will NEVER have a nuclear weapon, nor will it have the ability to threaten the United States of America, the Middle East or, for that matter, the World!"
"Iran’s Military, and all others involved with this Terrorist Regime, would be wise to lay down their arms, and save what’s left of their country, which isn’t much!" he added.
Kharg Island serves as the strategic hub for Iran’s oil exports and handles roughly 90 percent of Iran’s crude shipments. The roughly five‑mile stretch off Iran’s coast has remained untouched during the first weeks of the war.
Military analysts previously argued that capturing or disabling it would likely require a large ground force—a tactic that the Trump administration has so far avoided.
What People Are Saying
Hegseth, on Friday: “As the world is seeing, they are exercising sheer desperation in the Straits [sic] of Hormuz, something we’re dealing with. We have been dealing with it and don’t need to worry about it. We’re on plan to defeat, destroy, disable all of their meaningful military capabilities at a pace the world has never seen before.”
Trump, on Truth Social Thursday: "The United States is the largest Oil Producer in the World, by far, so when oil prices go up, we make a lot of money. BUT, of far greater interest and importance to me, as President, is stoping an evil Empire, Iran, from having Nuclear Weapons, and destroying the Middle East and, indeed, the World. I won’t ever let that happen!"
Update 3/13/26, 7:50 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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