Kharg Island: Why Has Israel Avoided Attacking Iran’s Key Oil Hub?

In the ongoing tension between Israel and Iran, there is a target, touching which can break Iran's back. This is Kharg Island, from where Iran exports most of its oil. If Israel attacks this place, then Iran's economy can suffer a big blow. But, Israel has so far refrained from targeting this most sensitive place. Let's understand in detail.

Iran Hit by Series of Israeli Attacks

Israel has attacked many energy sites of Iran in the recent past. For example, Shahran fuel and gasoline depot, which has 11 large storage tanks, and Shahr Ray, which is a large oil refinery of Iran. Apart from this, Israel also attacked South Pars Gas Field, which is one of the largest gas fields in the world and is very important for Iran's energy production. But, Israel has not even touched Kharg Island till now. This is the place from where Iran exports more than 90% of its oil.

In October last year, when the tension between Israel and Iran was at its peak, there were reports that Israel was planning to attack Kharg Island. After this news, many oil tankers were evacuated from the area around Kharg Island. But, that attack did not happen.

Kharg Island is the economic artery of Iran

Kharg Island is a continental island near Bushehr, Iran, near the Strait of Hormuz. It is Iran's largest offshore oil export terminal. Built in the 1950s, this terminal was badly destroyed in the Iran-Iraq war, but it was later rebuilt. Now it is so modern that it can handle very large crude carriers (VLCCs) and ultra large crude carriers (ULCCs).

This terminal has several berths, which can allow 8-9 supertankers to load oil simultaneously. It has the capacity to store about 28 million barrels of oil. Crude oil from Iran's big oil fields reaches Kharg Island through pipeline. This terminal handles more than 90% of Iran's crude oil exports, that is, it is the heart of Iran's oil industry.

The location of this island makes it more special. Being near the Strait of Hormuz gives Iran a big strategic advantage. About 20% of the world's oil goes through this route. The power to stop or obstruct this route gives Iran geopolitical power. Kharg Island is not just an oil export facility, but is Iran's economic artery.

Why is Israel not attacking Kharg Island?

Israel has so far attacked Iran's nuclear and energy infrastructure, but it has deliberately not touched Kharg Island and there is a clear strategy behind this. Attacking this island would mean risking a complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which could provoke retaliatory attacks in the Gulf region. The result would be a global energy shock, and a conflict that could be difficult to handle.

This attack could cause not only a regional but also a global economic crisis. Countries like China, which import huge quantities of oil from this region, could indirectly jump into this conflict as their energy-security interests are directly linked to it. That is why Israel has so far refrained from crossing this “red line”. But if the situation worsens further, it remains to be seen whether Israel changes its strategy. For now, Kharg Island is a vulnerable nerve of Iran, which Israel has deliberately left untouched.

In addition, Iran will not remain silent in case of an attack on Kharg Island. It can attack the oil installations of neighboring countries like Ras Tanura of Saudi Arabia. This could spread the conflict throughout the Gulf region and start a big war. Israel's strategy is cautious right now. It is putting pressure on Iran, but is targeting places that are less controversial. This weakens Iran, but the situation does not go out of control. Israel also does not want to upset its international friends.