Iran’s military vows to destroy US-linked oil assets if its energy facilities are attacked, escalating tensions after Trump claimed strikes on Kharg Island.

TEHRAN: Iran’s armed forces have threatened to destroy US-linked oil infrastructure. The threat came in response to claims by US President Donald Trump that American forces bombed Iran’s key oil export hub, Kharg Island.

The military’s Al-Anbiya Central Headquarters issued a statement carried by Iranian media. It warned that oil and energy infrastructure belonging to firms cooperating with the United States would “immediately be destroyed and turned into a pile of ashes” if Iran’s own energy facilities were attacked.

The announcement was a direct response to statements from the US president. Trump earlier claimed in a social media post that strikes had “obliterated” military targets on Kharg Island.

He also threatened to hit the island’s oil infrastructure if Tehran did not allow ship passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Approximately one-fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes through this strategic waterway.

Kharg Island is located about 30 kilometres off the Iranian mainland. It handles roughly 90% of Iran’s crude exports, according to a recent JP Morgan analysis.

The ongoing conflict has sparked chaos in global markets and sent oil prices soaring. Iranian strikes have virtually halted maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.

This has left investors and governments worldwide nervous about the risk of dwindling energy supply. The situation also raises concerns about potentially higher global inflation.

 The Sun Malaysia