Kharg Island

Kharg Island is a small continental island located in the Persian Gulf, approximately 25 km (16 miles) off the coast of southwestern Iran and about 483 km (300 miles) northwest of the Strait of Hormuz. The island sits in the northern Gulf, connected to Iran's major onshore oil fields via subsea pipelines. It features deep-water berths capable of accommodating Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) and supertankers. The terminal's loading capacity is approximately 7 million barrels per day, and it can load up to 10 supertankers simultaneously. The island has been Iran's primary export terminal since 1958 and handles crude oil, LNG, fertilisers, and petrochemicals. Known locally as the "orphan pearl," the island has ancient roots spanning over 4,000 years.