Fri Oct 04 19:27:00 UTC 2024: ## Kharg Island: A History of Military Conflict, Now Back in the Spotlight

Kharg Island, a barren coral outcrop in the Persian Gulf, has been a focal point of military activity for decades, and its significance as a potential target in the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran is once again making headlines.

The island, which hosts Iran’s largest oil terminal and accounts for 90% of its oil exports, has been the subject of military planning by the US, bombing raids by Iraq, and a failed arms deal by the CIA. Now, it is reportedly being considered as a target by Israel in retaliation for recent Iranian missile attacks.

Speculation about a potential Israeli strike on Kharg Island has driven a spike in oil prices, prompting Iranian tankers to leave the island as a precautionary measure.

**A History of Conflict:**

* **1979:** US President Jimmy Carter considered attacking Kharg Island in response to Iran’s hostage crisis, but the plan was abandoned due to concerns about global backlash and the strength of Iranian defenses.
* **1983-1985:** The CIA warned President Ronald Reagan that Iraq, then at war with Iran, might target Kharg Island. Despite deploying extensive defenses, including US-built HAWK missiles, Iraqi forces failed to cripple Iranian oil exports in two bombing raids in 1985.
* **1985:** Kharg Island was also involved in the Iran-Contra affair, with the CIA secretly supplying Israel with HAWK missiles that were then transferred to Iran in an attempt to secure the release of American hostages. The operation failed, and the missiles ultimately did not meet Iranian military requirements.

**The Current Situation:**

* **2023:** Following recent Iranian missile attacks on Israel, the US and Israel are reportedly discussing potential strikes on Iranian oil facilities, including Kharg Island.
* While Israel has vowed to retaliate against Iran, President Biden has urged a proportional response and opposed strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites.

**Experts Weigh In:**

Levi West, an Australian National University researcher on terrorism and counter-terrorism, believes that Israel is capable of targeting Kharg Island. He suggests that Israel might rely on covert operations rather than conventional airstrikes, given the complexity of launching a sustained air campaign.

The future of Kharg Island remains uncertain, but its long history as a flashpoint in the Middle East suggests that it could once again become a significant target in the region’s escalating conflicts.

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