A small coral island in the Persian Gulf has emerged as one of the most strategic assets in the ongoing West Asia war involving Iran, the United States and Israel. Kharg Island handles the vast majority of Iran’s crude oil exports and remains untouched despite an expanding military campaign targeting Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure. Analysts say any decision by US President Donald Trump regarding the island could shape both the conflict and global oil markets. Iran’s oil lifeline in the Gulf Kharg Island lies about 25 km off Iran’s coast and has served as the country’s main crude export terminal since the 1960s, when it was developed with the help of US oil company Amoco. The facility can load up to 7 million barrels of oil per day, according to a report by the Financial Times, and handles roughly 90% of Iran’s crude exports.