During the first two weeks of the latest war in the Middle East, as US and Israeli strikes rained down on military and energy facilities across Iran, one site went conspicuously untouched.
Despite its tiny size, Kharg Island is an economic lifeline for Iran, handling roughly 90% of the country’s crude exports – meaning any assault on it risks major escalation.
But on Friday the US hit military facilities on the island. Sites related to the oil trade were not hit, according to US officials and Iranian state media. But Trump has threatened to strike those too, if Iran continues blocking ships from traversing the Strait of Hormuz.
Here’s what to know about this crucial spigot in…