U.S. says Harq Island strike destroyed targets; oil infrastructure spared

President Donald Trump said on his social media accounts that the United States conducted a rapid strike on Harq Island in the Persian Gulf, claiming all military targets there were destroyed. He added that oil infrastructure was not hit to avoid disrupting global crude supplies.

Trump described the Iran operation as a major achievement, writing that “the Iran situation is going very well.” He claimed, militarily, a very big strike had been carried out and a big victory achieved. He also asserted that the United States has reached “a perfect, dominant position that no one has seen before.”

Harq Island is located in the northern Gulf and is described as a dense hub of refineries and loading terminals. The island is said to be seven times the area of Yeouido, a large district in Seoul, and more than 90% of Iran’s crude exports pass through it.

Analysts view the strike as both a display of military superiority and a lever to pressure Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway that channels Gulf oil to global markets.

Oil prices rose above $100 per barrel in the wake of the attack, underscoring the sensitivity of energy traders to Gulf tensions. There are concerns that Iran could attempt to mine shipping lanes to block the strait, heightening regional instability.

U.S. officials have urged restraint amid fears of a broader confrontation. A spokesman cited in coverage noted that while reports of mine-laying have circulated, there is no clear evidence that Iran has laid mines.

Washington has moved to reinforce the region with additional Marines and ships, signaling a tougher approach as it pressures Iran’s leadership. International observers warn that a wider conflict could disrupt energy markets and security in the Gulf.