US strikes Iran’s Kharg island as Revolutionary Guards threaten UAE bases

Saturday 14 March 2026 - 12:50

By: Dakir Madiha

US strikes Iran’s Kharg island as Revolutionary Guards threaten UAE bases

United States forces struck Iran’s Kharg Island, the country’s primary oil export hub, as the conflict involving Iran entered its third week, while Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that US military positions in the United Arab Emirates are now legitimate targets.

The escalation unfolded as US President Donald Trump told Group of Seven leaders during a virtual call that Iran was “close to surrender,” according to Axios, which cited officials from three G7 countries familiar with the discussion. The claim contrasted sharply with intelligence assessments and developments on the ground indicating that Iran’s leadership remains intact and the conflict continues across the region.

During the March 11 call, Trump described the military campaign known as Operation Epic Fury as a success. He told allies that he had removed a threat that endangered them all. At the same time, he acknowledged uncertainty about Iran’s leadership, saying that no one clearly knew who was in charge and therefore no authority existed to formally declare surrender.

Trump also criticized Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, calling him weak and saying his rise to power was unacceptable to Washington.

Other G7 leaders pressed the US administration to move toward a resolution to stabilize global energy markets and secure the Strait of Hormuz. The vital shipping route has seen repeated attacks on oil tankers, helping push crude prices above 100 dollars per barrel. Trump told the leaders that conditions in the strait were improving and urged commercial shipping to resume normal transit. Later that same evening, however, at least two oil tankers were set on fire near Iraqi waters.

US intelligence assessments paint a different picture from the administration’s optimistic messaging. Reuters reported that multiple intelligence reviews concluded Iran’s government is not at risk of collapse despite the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and numerous senior military commanders during the initial wave of US and Israeli strikes on February 28.

According to sources familiar with the intelligence reports, the Iranian state continues to maintain control over the population and government institutions. Israeli officials have also indicated privately that they cannot guarantee the military campaign will lead to the fall of Iran’s clerical leadership.

A day after the G7 call, Mojtaba Khamenei released his first public statement since taking power. The message, delivered in writing and read on Iranian state television, vowed ongoing retaliation against the United States and Israel.

Khamenei said Iran would never retreat and pledged to avenge those killed in the conflict. He also signaled that Iran would continue threatening navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

As the war expanded, Trump announced that US forces had “obliterated” targets on Kharg Island. The island hosts Iran’s largest oil export facilities and represents a central node in the country’s energy infrastructure. Trump warned that additional oil facilities could be targeted next.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said combined US and Israeli operations had struck more than 15,000 targets since the campaign began. In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a warning to the United Arab Emirates that US military installations on Emirati territory would be treated as legitimate targets.

The Pentagon reported that 13 US service members have died during the conflict, including seven killed by hostile fire. Health authorities in Iran and Lebanon reported more than 1,300 deaths in Iran and 773 in Lebanon.

Iran aligned militias continue to launch attacks on US forces and diplomatic sites across the region, including in Iraq, Kuwait, and Gulf states. On March 12, a US Air Force KC-135 aircraft crashed in Iraq while supporting military operations.