President Donald Trump announced on May 13 (local time) that US forces attacked Kharg Island, home to Iran's primary crude oil export terminal, and eliminated military facilities there.
"Moments ago, at my direction, US Central Command carried out one of the most powerful bombardments in Middle East history, completely destroying all military targets on Iran's Kharg Island," Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.
"Our weapons are the most powerful and sophisticated the world has ever known, but out of decency, I decided not to destroy the oil infrastructure on this island," Trump added.
Trump warned that "if Iran or anyone else does anything to obstruct the free and safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision."
"Iran will never possess nuclear weapons and will have no ability to threaten the United States, the Middle East, or the world," Trump said. "It would be wise for Iran's military and everyone involved with this terrorist regime to lay down their arms and protect what remains of their country."
The US military's strike on Kharg Island is seen as part of military pressure measures to reopen navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran had blockaded.
Since American oil company Amoco built petroleum facilities there in the 1960s, the island has served as a crude oil export terminal capable of transporting up to 7 million barrels per day.
The southern part of the island contains dozens of storage tanks, with deep-water piers extending on both sides for loading supertankers, worker housing, and a runway connecting to the mainland. Subsea pipelines link the terminal to Iran's major oil fields.