The oil logic behind Trump’s war on Iran

Al JazeeraCenterEN 5 min read 100% complete by Ilan KapoorMarch 18, 2026 at 09:30 AM
The oil logic behind Trump’s war on Iran

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long article 5 min

The United States and Israel have been conducting a military assault on Iran, citing concerns over nuclear proliferation, deterrence, and regional security. However, recent developments suggest that another objective is at play: safeguarding global oil flows. The US strike on Iran's Kharg Island, the country's main oil export terminal, highlights this logic. The island handles most of Iran's crude exports, and destroying its oil terminals would have disrupted global supply and sent prices soaring. Instead, the US opted for a calibrated strike that damaged military targets but left energy infrastructure intact. This approach suggests that the US is prioritizing maintaining oil flows to support the global economy, as has been a strategic priority since the Carter Doctrine of 1980.

Keywords

oil 100% iran 90% us 80% oil infrastructure 70% kharg island 70% energy security 60% strait of hormuz 60% military strike 50% global economy 50% oil flows 40%

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Al Jazeera
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Far LeftCenterFar Right
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