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US strikes Iran's "Crown Jewel" oil hub - Karaj Island bombed - Al Jazeera English [View all]
The United States has reportedly carried out a major strike on Karaj Island, Iran’s key oil export hub, located 25 km off the country’s southwestern coast in the Persian Gulf. Known as the “crown jewel” of Iran’s oil industry, the island handles around 90% of the nation’s oil exports.
Economist Cornelia Meer explains the strategic significance: Karaj Island has deepwater capacity for supertankers, storage for millions of barrels of crude, and pipelines from Iran’s major oil fields terminate there. Disruption could impact Iran’s income and global oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz.
Political scientist Robert Pap highlights the tactical and strategic challenges. Any attempt to seize the island could be costly in lives and resources, and removing Iran’s oil from the market could drive prices higher, potentially playing into Iran’s own escalation strategy. - 03/13/2026.
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