The U.S. military devastated the military installations on Kharg Island, Iran’s major oil transport facility, but left the oil infrastructure alone. President Trump threatened to blow up the oil facilities, too:
“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,” Trump said in a statement Friday evening, referring to an island in the Persian Gulf where most of Iran’s oil is processed.
“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.”
Now, as if a few hours ago, Iran says the Strait is back open:
Iran said Saturday all countries except for the US and Israel may pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
“As a matter of fact, this strait of Hormuz is open,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said.
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He spoke after President Trump threatened to destroy Iran’s oil infrastructure on its Kharg Island energy hub — through which 90% of its oil exports pass — if it refuses to allow safe passage.“It is only closed to the tankers and ships belong[ing] to our enemies, to those who are attacking us and their allies. Others are free to pass,” Araghchi told MS NOW.
So he was talking to an allied media outlet.
I take this news with a major grain of salt. It is hard to say, these days, who if anyone can speak for Iran’s military. But if it is real, it is good news. The U.S. has no need of Hormuz, nor, as far as I know, does Israel. Oil passing through the Strait is mostly bound for China and other places in Asia. Perhaps the Chinese leaned on someone in Iran.
In any event, if this news is real, it may help to moderate the price of oil. As President Trump points out, the U.S. is a huge producer and seller of oil, so a high price can benefit us. Nevertheless, we want the global petroleum price to come down.
