Why Has Hark Island Become a Potential Target for the U.S. Military?

[Global Times Comprehensive Report] As Western media reports about the possibility of the U.S. launching a ground attack on Iran increase, Halke Island is also seen as the most likely target for the U.S. military. According to Al Jazeera's website, this small island, which covers only 22 square kilometers, accounts for about 90% of Iran's oil exports, making it the "best option" for U.S. President Trump to exert pressure on Iran.

Relevant information shows that Halke Island is located 55 kilometers northwest of Bushehr Port, more than 20 kilometers from the Iranian mainland, approximately 6 kilometers long and 3 kilometers wide, with deep surrounding waters providing it with a unique geographical advantage, capable of accommodating supertankers. The Iranian oil sector states that the energy facilities on Halke Island are a key hub for the country's oil, with its docks receiving crude oil from Iran's three major offshore oil fields—Abuzar, Forouzan, and Doroud—and then transporting it through a complex network of underwater pipelines to onshore processing facilities, where it is stored or shipped to global markets. The island handles 90% of Iran's national oil exports, transporting about 950 million barrels of oil annually. Due to its importance, the island is guarded by elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and only personnel with official security clearance are allowed to enter.

In the early hours of March 14, Trump announced that the U.S. Air Force bombed military facilities on Halke Island, making this small island the latest focus of U.S.-Israeli airstrike operations against Iran. However, Trump emphasized, "For moral reasons, I chose not to destroy the oil infrastructure on the island."

As the navigation issues in the Strait of Hormuz remain unresolved, Trump's thoughts may change at any time. U.S. Axios News cited four informed sources stating that the U.S. government is considering occupying or blockading the island to force Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. CBS News national security analyst Aaron McLean stated that the U.S. may aim to occupy the island and use it as leverage to compel Iran to keep the strait open. BBC security briefing analyst Mitch noted that occupying the island would effectively cut off the economic lifeline of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

However, Iranian officials stated that if the oil infrastructure on Halke Island is attacked, the oil and energy infrastructure of companies cooperating with the U.S. will be "immediately destroyed." The BBC believes that the concern that an attack on Halke Island could trigger turmoil in the global energy market is one of the biggest worries for the U.S. at present. On March 16, Trump stated, "With just a simple order, the pipelines on Halke Island could be destroyed, but rebuilding these pipelines would take a long time." Reports indicate that this would not only lead to a significant escalation of conflict but also cause global oil prices to soar further, with Iran potentially targeting more energy infrastructure in the Middle East as retaliation. (Wu Yan)