Just one month after the attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran, a new target comes into action: the island of Jark – also spelled Kharg -, an Iranian island located in front of the Persian Gulf and with a surface area of only 24 square kilometers that houses Iran’s main crude oil export terminal.
Around 90% of the oil exported by the country passes through it, making it a key point for the oil industry. It is estimated that its oil field is four times larger than its own territory. From there, the ships head towards the Strait of Hormuz. In fact, the president of the United States, Donald Trump, has defined it as “the jewel in the crown” of the country.
13,500 barrels of oil per hour and seven million barrels daily
Thanks to its two main docks, about seven million barrels of oil leave the island daily, although if it operates at maximum capacity it can reach 10 million. Without going any further, Pier T has six docks with five measuring machines with the capacity to remove about 13,500 barrels of oil per hour.
The great depth of its seabed is a great advantage, because it allows fuel to reach the surface through pipelines and for ships to approach and load it easily. An attack on it would mean a shock to oil prices, with barrels shooting up to $150 in the worst case, according to the predictions of Neil Quilliam, a member of the Chatam House think tank, speaking to Mundiario.
The United States orders the deployment of 2,000 paratroopers
Is it possible for the United States to attack Jark’s oil facilities? According to the latest information, the Pentagon has ordered the deployment of some 2,000 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division and has left in the air the possibility of sending more in the coming days. Specifically, according to information published by The Wall Street Journal, the figure could be 10,000.
Although it is not known for sure where they will go, various media such as Axios point to Jark Island, which would join the 2,300 Marines of the 31st Expeditionary Unit, always according to Pentagon sources. The attack on Jark would be a way to put pressure on Iran in the conflict, to protect “freedom of navigation” and reinforce “deterrence”, now that Trump has given until April 6 to reach an agreement.
For its part, Iran’s Defense Council has warned that if Jark or any of the other islands are attacked, it will undermine access routes and communication routes to the Persian Gulf, “including floating mines deployable from the coast.” From CNN they assure that Iran is strengthening the island’s defenses in anticipation of an imminent attack. The country would have set traps and moved more military personnel and air defenses.
The United States has already attacked Jark, but not the oil infrastructure
A little more than 10 days ago, the United States bombed the island. According to information released by the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), more than 90 military targets, including naval mine storage facilities, missile bunkers and other locations, were attacked. An event described by Trump as “one of the most powerful bombings in history.”
Although the oil industry was not directly affected in that attack, a decision taken according to Trump “out of decency”, there was a notable impact on prices: a barrel of Brent exceeded $106 and WTI reached $101. Therefore, if the United States finally attacks the oil industry, the consequences could be devastating.
