IRANIAN tankers have fled a key oil island where 90 per cent of the country’s exports flow ahead of Israeli strikes, satellite pictures show.
The Islamic Republic is bracing itself for revenge from Israel’s military after the Ayatollah sent a barrage of 180 rockets at the country on Tuesday.
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New satellite images released by hedge fund and news outlet Hunterbrook revealed the anchorage is now empty for the first time since November.
Kharg Island, about 20 miles west of Iran in the Persian Gulf, hosts an oil terminal which 90 per cent of Iran’s exports pass through.
Iran’s oil infrastructure is likely to be a target of Israeli retaliation strikes after US President Joe Biden didn’t rule it out yesterday.
The 81-year-old said: “We’re in discussion of that. I think that would be a little… anyway.”
Axios cited Israeli officials “point to Iran’s oil facilities as a likely target, but some say targeted assassinations and taking out Iran’s air defence systems are also possibilities.”
Energy analysts have predicted a four or five per cent jump in crude oil prices if Israel were to strike the terminal.
Iran has pledged that if Israel responds, it will also respond in-turn.
Ayatollah Khamenei sat with a rifle by his side as he led prayers in Tehran today and sent a chilling message to Israel.
The Islamic Republic’s leader backed Tuesday’s rocket strike against Israel describing the action as “brilliant”.
He said: “We are neither procrastinating nor hasting in fulfilling our duty (to destroy Israel).”
Khamenei also said that Israel “cannot seriously harm” Hezbollah as the IDF continues its ground invasion of Lebanon to cripple the group.
Meanwhile, Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant pledged “more surprises in store” for Hezbollah after the assassination of Nasrallah.
And some of them, he claimed, have already been carried out.
He said: “Hezbollah is receiving very severe blows, one after the other.”
It comes as…
Israel has continued its campaign of assassinations to decapitate Hezbollah even after troops crossed the border.
The IDF today pounded Beirut trying to kills Nasrallah’s cousin and closest aide who was rumoured to be the group’s next leader.
Israel has also taken out senior commanders of divisions within the group as it has sought it degrade their capabilities.
Gollant said: “(Hezbollah’s) missile and rocket division suffered a very heavy blow. A significant part was destroyed as a result of a high-quality and precise operation.
“Command and control headquarters, communications, the entire leadership of (the elite Radwan Force), and in fact the entire second and third tiers of command below Nasrallah were eliminated.”
150 Brits get out
By Nick Parker, Foreign Editor
MORE than 150 Britons have left Beirut on the first UK Government-chartered plane.
There are concerns about how long the Lebanese capital’s airport will remain open as Israel continues its offensive against Hezbollah.
The Foreign Office said a limited number of additional flights had been chartered.
Lebanon’s Middle East Airlines also continues to operate its scheduled services.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: “I urge all British nationals still in Lebanon to register with the FCDO and leave immediately.”
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