United States President Donald Trump issued an extraordinary threat against Iran, declaring that "a whole civilisation will die tonight" as American and Israeli military forces launched strikes on Kharg Island, the hub of Iran's crude oil exports. The attack came as Trump's deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz expired, marking a dramatic escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran. The coordinated strikes targeted critical oil infrastructure on the island, which handles approximately 90 per cent of Iran's petroleum exports.
Kharg Island, located in the northern Persian Gulf roughly 25 kilometres off Iran's coast, serves as the country's primary oil export terminal and is central to its economic survival. The strikes reportedly hit loading terminals, storage facilities, and port infrastructure essential to Iran's ability to ship crude to international buyers. Iran exports roughly 1.5 million barrels of oil per day, with the vast majority passing through Kharg Island's facilities, making the target selection a direct blow to Tehran's revenue base.
The escalation follows weeks of rising tensions after Iran moved to restrict shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway through which roughly 20 per cent of the world's oil supply passes daily. Trump had issued a public ultimatum demanding Iran reopen the strait to international shipping or face severe consequences. The standoff has its roots in the broader collapse of diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran, with the Trump administration pursuing a strategy of maximum pressure that has included reimposed sanctions and increased military deployments across the Middle East.
World leaders responded with alarm to Trump's rhetoric and the military action, with several European governments calling for immediate de-escalation. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government was monitoring the situation closely and urged all parties to exercise restraint. Global oil prices surged past $US120 a barrel in the hours following the strikes, with energy analysts warning of sustained supply disruptions that could push petrol prices sharply higher in Australia and across the Asia-Pacific region.
The immediate focus now turns to whether Iran will retaliate militarily or seek to escalate through proxy forces across the region, including in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen. The United Nations Security Council has called an emergency session to address the crisis, while shipping insurers have suspended coverage for vessels transiting the Persian Gulf. Australian motorists and businesses face the prospect of significantly higher fuel costs in coming weeks if the conflict disrupts global oil supplies for an extended period.