Why is Kharg Island important to Iran’s oil exports?

Kharg Island is vital to Iran’s economy because it serves as the primary terminal for nearly all of the country's oil exports.12

Its strategic importance for the petroleum industry is driven by two main factors:

• Deep-water access: Although the island is located close to the coast of the Persian Gulf, it is surrounded by deep waters. This geography allows large oil tankers and supertankers to dock directly at the facility, which is more efficient than using shallower coastal ports.12
• High capacity: The terminal is equipped to load approximately 7 million barrels of oil per day and can accommodate 10 supertankers simultaneously.12

In addition to crude oil, the island serves as a shipping point for other petroleum-related products, including liquid gas and sulfate fertilizers.2