US military airstrikes on Iran's oil export hub, Kharg Island

U.S. Airstrikes Iran Oil Export Hub Harir Island, Latest War Update →

On the evening of the 13th, U.S. President Donald Trump posted on social media that U.S. forces had launched a “fierce airstrike” against Iran’s oil export hub, Harir Island.

Trump stated that the operation “completely destroyed” all military targets on the island but did not damage the oil infrastructure. He also warned that if Iran or any other party takes any action to interfere with the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, he will immediately reconsider whether to destroy the island’s oil infrastructure.

Harir Island is a key hub for Iran’s oil exports. Iran’s Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani previously said that if the U.S. and Israel attack any of Iran’s islands in the Persian Gulf, Iran will “abandon all restraint.”

U.S. officials say the U.S. is deploying additional Marines and warships to the Middle East.

Despite President Trump’s recent repeated statements that the U.S. will soon end military actions against Iran, he still threatened on the 13th to carry out a “fierce airstrike” on Iran next week. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also made hawkish remarks that day, stating that “the U.S. plans to destroy all of Iran’s threatening military capabilities.”

At a press conference on the 13th, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced that U.S. military operations against Iran have targeted over 15,000 “enemy targets.” He also revealed that Iran’s missile numbers have “reduced by 90%” and the number of suicide drones has “fallen by 95%.”

On the same day, as President Trump and Defense Secretary Austin issued tough rhetoric against Iran, three U.S. officials disclosed that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had approved the request from U.S. Central Command to deploy an amphibious ready group and its accompanying Marine expeditionary unit. This unit typically consists of several warships and about 5,000 Marines.

Additionally, the U.S. Navy’s amphibious assault ship USS LHD “Littoral” and its Marine contingent, stationed in Japan, are reportedly heading to the Middle East. It is unclear whether this is part of the aforementioned troop deployment. These officials also said that U.S. Marines have previously provided support in military operations against Iran. The U.S. has not yet officially responded to further troop deployments to the Middle East.

△Video | Israel and U.S. claim to strike multiple targets including Iranian intelligence agencies

Iran reports over 21,000 civilian areas attacked

According to the Iranian Red Crescent Society, since the outbreak of the conflict, the U.S. and Israel have launched military strikes on more than 21,000 civilian areas in Iran, including multiple medical centers. Iran has repeatedly issued statements condemning these blatant violations of international humanitarian law and attacks on medical lifelines.

Iran’s counterattack enters 46th round

“Resistance Front” shoots down U.S. refueling aircraft

In response to the U.S.-Israeli attacks, on the evening of the 13th, Iran launched its 45th and 46th rounds of retaliatory operations within about three hours, bringing the total number of strikes on that day to four. In the early hours of the 14th, Tehran time, the Israeli Defense Forces announced that they detected a new round of ballistic missile attacks from Iran.

△Footage of the “Real Commitment-4” round 46 missile launch in Iran on the evening of the 13th. (Source: Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps)

The Iraqi militia group “Islamic Resistance Organization,” also a member of the “Resistance Front” along with Hezbollah in Lebanon, reported on the 13th that it had shot down two U.S. aerial refueling aircraft, one of which was destroyed.

Shortly before this statement, U.S. Central Command claimed that a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft had crashed in western Iraq. The U.S. denied that the crash was caused by enemy or friendly fire. As of now, all six crew members on the crashed aircraft have been confirmed dead.

△Photos show the damaged tail of the refueling aircraft, with some structural parts missing.

Later on the 13th, a report from the station’s correspondent in Israel indicated that a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft, which was on a mission in Iraq on the night of the 12th, had landed at Ben-Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. Photos show the aircraft’s tail was damaged, with parts missing. It is widely believed that this damaged aircraft is the same one that was attacked by the “Islamic Resistance Organization” but was not shot down.

Iran allows some ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz

Regarding the highly watched Strait of Hormuz in the current U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict, Iran has provided an update on maritime passage rights.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Ravanji explicitly stated in an interview that Iran allows some countries’ ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

Ravanji said that some countries have discussed the issue of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz with Iran, and Iran has cooperated with them. However, countries involved in aggression against Iran do not have “safe passage rights” through the strait. He also denied reports that Iran has laid mines in the Strait of Hormuz.

Supporting this, on the 13th local time, Turkey’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, confirmed that 14 Turkish ships are currently waiting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, and another vessel has been authorized to transit after communication with Iranian authorities regarding its port activities.

According to a report from the station’s correspondent on the 13th, Iran has permitted two LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) ships flying the Indian flag to pass through the Strait of Hormuz en route to India. Additionally, a Saudi oil tanker that passed through the Strait on March 1 is expected to arrive in India by March 14.

When will the U.S. escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz?

Trump’s latest statement: very soon

On March 13th, U.S. President Donald Trump said that U.S. Navy escort for oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz “will happen very soon.”

Trump also stated that the U.S. and Israel may have slightly different targets in Iran, “but as long as needed, the war will continue.”

Earlier on the 13th, Trump also commented on U.S. military escort of oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, saying that if necessary, the U.S. military will provide escort services.

Produced by: Zheng Hong

Produced by: Zhao Xinyu

Reporters: Li Jiannan, Wang Zheng, Liang Hui, Sun Jian, Chen Huihui, Wu Hanyang, Yang Yuan, Zhang Zhuoya, Jiang Haoyu, Zhao Miao

Chief Editor: Jin Lücheng

Editors: Wang Tingting, Wu Xiaolang, Yu Tiantian