DUBAI: Kharg Island, a small coral outcrop in the Arabian Gulf, has become a focal point in the escalating confrontation between the United States and Iran — not because of its size, but because of its central role in global energy flows. Located some 30–50 km off Iran’s coast, the island is the country’s primary oil export hub. It handles up to 90 percent of Iran’s crude exports, making it a critical economic lifeline and a strategic vulnerability.