"Trump Crosses Iran's 'Red Line' By Heavy Bombing Of Kharg Island, Endangering Energy Assets Across Region"
Following up on the somewhat cryptic outro from the post immediately below, here's ZeroHedge, March 13:
In what could prove to be a major step up the escalation ladder in the two-week-old US-Israeli war on Iran, President
Trump on Friday evening (notably after US market closure) announced
that US Central Command had carried out a major bombing raid on Kharg
Island, which handles upwards of 90% of Iran's crude oil exports. Importantly, Iran has previously warned that an attack on the island would cross a red line, and precipitate Iranian attacks on energy infrastructure up and down the Persian Gulf.
Perhaps
with that previous Iran warning in mind -- and to allay the fears of US
allies in the region who don't want to see their energy facilities go
up in smoke -- Trump emphasized that the attack was focused on military assets:
"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.
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.
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."
Iran's FARS news agency confirmed the attack, saying at least 15 explosions were heard as it unfolded. FARS reports that targets included
air defense assets, a naval base, an airport control tower and a
helicopter hangar associated with Iranian Offshore Oil Company. The Trump administration released video highlights from the bombing raid:
Trump's threat to "reconsider" the decision not to damage the energy
infrastructure on the island if Iran continues to shut down the Strait
of Hormuz will surely cause deep concern among Gulf allies and everyone
else who's wary of the looming global economic catastrophe that will
unfold if the Persian Gulf energy shutdown persists.
With Iran apparently bent on imposing a devastating cost for the US-Israeli war -- one that will deter future attacks -- there's little reason to think Tehran is going signal "all clear" on the strait anytime soon.
Five
miles long and situated 15 to 20 miles off the mainland-Iranian coast,
Kharg Island is essential to Iran's export of petroleum. Facilities there have continued to operate throughout the war, with at least 10 tankers hauling off nearly 19 million barrels
since the US-Israeli surprise attack on Feb 28. Iran has, however,
sought to add a small measure of export-facility diversification, by reopening energy exports at the Jask terminal, which is southeast of the Straight of Hormuz, in the Gulf of Oman....
Iranian armed forces statement in response to Trump's threat to attack oil infrastructure on Kharg Island (published by Iranian state media) pic.twitter.com/8J40dzIE7C
