Attack on Kharg Island Could Reshape Global Energy, IRGC Navy Chief Warns

Monday, March 16, 2026: The chief commander of Iran’s IRGC Navy, Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, has warned that any attack on Kharg Island could dramatically change global energy markets.

In a post on his X account, Tangsiri wrote, “You once tested Iran through the Strait of Hormuz. If the control of the strait affected oil pricing, an attack on Kharg Island would create an even more severe and unprecedented impact on global energy rates and distribution.”

The warning comes after US President Donald Trump announced that 13 military sites on Kharg Island were targeted in airstrikes. The strikes are part of the ongoing US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, which began on February 28, 2026.

Rear Admiral Tangsiri also addressed leaders of Persian Gulf states, saying that for decades they have relied on the United States and other Western powers for security. He warned that these powers prioritize their own interests over regional safety. “When their interests are at stake, they will sacrifice you for their own gain,” he said.

Tangsiri emphasized that the Gulf states are witnessing how foreign powers have used them for external ambitions. He called for Islamic nations’ solidarity and the removal of US forces from the region to ensure true reform and security.

Since the war began, Iran has retaliated against attacks with missile and drone strikes on Israeli-occupied territories and US military bases in neighboring countries. The conflict escalated following the assassination of former Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and several senior Iranian military commanders by US-Israeli forces.

The Kharg Island oil terminal is one of Iran’s largest export hubs. Analysts say any strike on the island could disrupt global oil supplies and cause sharp fluctuations in energy prices. Tangsiri’s warning signals Tehran’s readiness to respond decisively if its critical energy infrastructure is threatened.

Iranian officials frame these measures as defensive responses to protect national security and ensure regional stability. They also assert that foreign aggression against Iran not only threatens the country but could destabilize global energy markets.