Washington, DC [US], April 7 (ANI): Tensions between Washington and Tehran escalated sharply Tuesday as a wave of aerial strikes was reported across multiple locations in Iran.
According to NBC News, even before the expiration of the White House deadline, “an intense wave of strikes was reported on bridges across Iran and on Kharg Island,” which serves as the country’s key oil export hub.
A US official confirmed the scale of the operation, stating that the US military struck “dozens of military targets on the island overnight,” marking a significant expansion of the ongoing military confrontation in the Persian Gulf.
Providing further details, the official told NBC News that the mission included US airstrikes along the northern side of the island. The operation was conducted entirely from the air and did not involve US ground troops.
The strikes were described as precision-based, targeting Tehran’s defensive and logistical capabilities rather than its energy infrastructure. The official said US forces “did not strike the oil,” focusing instead on strategic military assets.
Among the targets destroyed were military bunkers, storage facilities, air defense systems, and other military installations.
The developments coincide with reports from Iran’s Mehr News Agency, which also confirmed that Kharg Island came under attack Tuesday. The island, located in the Persian Gulf, is Iran’s most critical oil facility, handling nearly 90 percent of the country’s oil exports.
Due to the shallow nature of much of Iran’s mainland coastline, the island is essential for accommodating large tankers, making it indispensable to the country’s energy trade.
However, its strategic importance also makes it highly vulnerable. The terminal lies opposite US military bases in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, exposing it during heightened military tensions.
The escalation follows Iran’s decision to close the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest oil transit routes, a move that has already disrupted global energy markets.
The strikes appear to align with earlier warnings from US President Donald Trump, who indicated the possibility of targeting the facility. In remarks to the Financial Times, he said, “Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don’t. We have a lot of options.”
The situation remains volatile as a final ultimatum from Washington looms. Trump has set an 8 p.m. (ET) Tuesday deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, warning that failure to comply would trigger a large-scale bombing campaign targeting Iran’s electric generating plants and bridges.
He previously said the objective would be to leave these facilities “burning, exploding, and never to be used again” within a four-hour window.
During a White House press briefing, Trump added, “The entire country could be taken out in one night, and that night might be tomorrow night.”
Emphasizing the urgency, Trump described the moment as a “critical period,” noting that Washington had given Tehran additional time to reach an agreement.
“They have till tomorrow. Now we will see what happens… A lot of people are affected by this. We are giving them until tomorrow, 8 o’clock Eastern Time. After that, they are going to have no bridges. They are going to have no power plants. Stone Age,” Trump said. (ANI)
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