is a strategic coral island in the northern Persian Gulf that serves as the "economic backbone" of Iran, handling roughly 90% of the country's crude oil exports.
On March 13, 2026, the island became a central flashpoint in the U.S.–Iran conflict when U.S. forces conducted a large-scale precision strike that "obliterated" approximately 90 military targets on the island.
Current Strategic Status (March 2026)
Military Strike: President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. targeted military installations, including naval mine and missile storage bunkers, to stop Iranian interference with shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Oil Infrastructure: The island's critical oil export facilities were intentionally spared during the strike "for reasons of decency". However, the U.S. warned it would reconsider this decision if Iran continues to block international shipping lanes.
Ongoing Operations: Despite the military strikes, oil operations have continued, with tankers observed loading crude shortly after the attack.
Key Infrastructure & Capacity
Kharg Island is indispensable because much of Iran’s mainland coastline is too shallow for massive supertankers.
Export Volume: Historically handles 1.5 to 1.6 million barrels per day (bpd).
Loading Capacity: Features long jetties and deep-water berths capable of loading up to 10 supertankers simultaneously. Its maximum theoretical capacity is reported as 7 million bpd.
Storage: The island has storage tanks capable of holding approximately 30 million barrels of crude oil.
Geography & Administration
Location: Situated roughly 15 miles (24 km) off the coast of Iran and 34 miles (55 km) northwest of Bushehr.
Dimensions: Approximately 8 km (5 miles) long and 4–5 km (3 miles) wide.
Restrictions: Often called the "Forbidden Island," it is heavily fortified and administered by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Access is strictly limited to oil workers and military personnel, though a restrictive special tourist permit was introduced in 2026.
Resources: It is one of the few islands in the Persian Gulf with its own natural freshwater supply, which supports a local population of over 8,000 people and a population of wild gazelles.
Historical Significance
Archaeology: Home to a 2,400-year-old Achaemenid cuneiform inscription (discovered in 2007) that is central to the Persian Gulf naming dispute. It also contains ruins of a 7th-century Christian monastery and various rock-cut tombs.
Colonial History: Controlled by the Portuguese in the 16th century and the Dutch East India Company in the 18th century, who built Fort Mosselstein.
Iran-Iraq War: During the 1980s, the island was repeatedly bombed by Iraq in an attempt to cripple Iran's economy, leading to extensive damage that was later rebuilt.
Helpful Hint: While I suggest you look on blog for a downloadable PDF Map, you should be able to print or save this map by clicking the print button on the map above.
Data Sources
Road Trip to Coal Country by Nate Matthews - You can download the KMZ File used in creation of this map.
ESRI World Aerial - This series of aerial images is an alternative to USGS' aerial photos, with higher resolutions, although not as detailed as state programs. Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, i-cubed, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User. XYZ Tiles: https://server.arcgisonline.com/ArcGIS/rest/services/World_Imagery/MapServer/tile/{z}/{y}/{x}
3DEP Elevation Hillshade. LIDAR and legacy USGS DRG Topo Derived hillshades used as a background. DEM - WMS Service: https://elevation.nationalmap.gov/arcgis/services/3DEPElevation/ImageServer/WMSServer, Layer: 3DEPElevation:Hillshade Gray