According to Reuters and Axios, Khark Island accounts for 80% to 90% of Iran's oil exports, making it critically important for the country's energy infrastructure. At the beginning of the current escalation, Iran was exporting more than 2 million barrels of oil per day, and by early 2026, this figure had dropped to about 1.7 million barrels per day.
The Telegraph previously indicated that control over Khark could provide Washington with a significant means of pressure on Tehran without the need to deploy troops to the mainland. However, Reuters emphasizes that the current focus is solely on military strikes, not on seizing the island.
