“Whoever rules the waves rules the world’s trade.” — Alfred Thayer Mahan

A tiny island in the northern waters of the Persian Gulf has suddenly become the focus of global attention. Kharg Island, a small stretch of land off the Iranian coast, stands today as one of the most crucial energy hubs on the planet. Recent claims by Donald Trump that Iranian oil facilities could face military action pushed this island into the headlines of the world press. Geography made it small; energy politics made it powerful.

The island occupies a pivotal place in the strategic landscape of West Asia. Nearly ninety per cent of Iran’s oil exports leave the country through terminals located on Kharg Island. Pipelines carrying crude oil from Iran’s vast oil fields converge here. Tankers then transport this oil to markets across Asia and the rest of the world. The island functions as the principal gateway through which Iranian energy flows into the arteries of the global economy.

Its importance grows even greater because of its proximity to the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most vital maritime energy corridor. This narrow waterway links the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea. Thousands of vessels cross it every month, carrying crude oil and liquefied natural gas from the Gulf region. Global energy security depends heavily on this route.

The geographical characteristics of the strait amplify its strategic........

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