WASHINGTON, March 13 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that the U.S. military carried out bombing raids against military targets on Iran's Kharg Island, a key oil export hub that handles most of the country's crude shipments.
Via his Truth Social account, Trump also said he had decided not to strike the island's oil infrastructure, although he would change his mind "should Iran, or anyone else, do anything to interfere with the free and safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz."
Citing experts, CNN reported that any attempt to capture Kharg Island would require a substantial number of ground troops, something the Trump administration has so far been reluctant to commit.
Kharg Island lies in the Persian Gulf about 25 km off Iran's coast and accounts for about 90 percent of the country's crude exports.
Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson said Friday that more than 50,000 U.S. service members are supporting military operations against Iran. U.S. Central Command said Thursday that about 6,000 targets had been struck and that more than 60 ships and 30 minelayers had been damaged or destroyed, according to a post on X from the U.S. Department of War.
The Pentagon is reportedly deploying the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli and about 2,500 Marines to the Middle East. The forces are expected to take one to two weeks to join other U.S. military assets already in the region.
Axios reported that the deployment would also include several warships and F-35 fighter jets to reinforce forces already in the area. ■