Trump; US ‘totally obliterated’ Iran’s ‘Forbidden Island’ to help get oil flowing again in Strait of Hormuz

President Donald Trump said Friday that the U.S. attacked Iran military installations on Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf

Known as the “Forbidden Island”, the Iranian territory is home to military installations and oil infrastructure.

The move is part of the U.S. and Israeli efforts in the war to keep oil flows following in the Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf.

The war and Iranian strikes on oil tankers and cargo ships have curtailed shipping in the Gulf. That has sent up crude oil prices to near or above $100 per barrel.

U.S. gasoline prices are also up with average prices nationally at $3.63 per gallon, according to AAA.

Trump said Friday evening that the U.S. “totally obliterated” military targets on the Iran island, but did not hit energy infrastructure.

Trump said that could be next if Iran keep trying to hit oil tankers and cargo ships with drones and missiles.

Kharg Island sits in the Strait of Hormuz off the Iran’s coast. It is restricted and home to much of Iran’s oil infrastructure and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps installations.

Trump is also dispatching more naval assets to the region to try to get the flow of oil and other cargo (including fertilizers) running again.

Here is Trump’s post on the attack.

“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. During my First Term, and currently, I rebuilt our Military into the Most Lethal, Powerful, and Effective Force, by far, anywhere in the World. Iran has NO ability to defend anything that we want to attack — There is nothing they can do about it! Iran will NEVER have a nuclear weapon, nor will it have the ability to threaten the United States of America, the Middle East or, for that matter, the World! Iran’s Military, and all others involved with this Terrorist Regime, would be wise to lay down their arms, and save what’s left of their country, which isn’t much!"