Satellite pics reveal Iranian tankers FLEEING ‘oil island’ where ‘90% of exports flow’ ahead of Israeli revenge strikes

IRANIAN tankers have fled a key oil island where 90 per cent of the country’s exports flow ahead of Israeli strikes, satellite pictures show.

The Islamic Republic is bracing itself for revenge from Israel’s military after the Ayatollah sent a barrage of 180 rockets at the country on Tuesday.

Hunterbrook

Tankers were at the island last month[/caption]

Hunterbrook

A satellite snap taken yesterday show the shops have left the island[/caption]

SWNS

Kharg Island hosts an oil terminal[/caption]

Getty

The island hosts 90 per cent of the oil the country exports[/caption]

New satellite images released by hedge fund and news outlet Hunterbrook revealed the anchorage is now empty for the first time since November.

Kharg Island, about 20 miles west of Iran in the Persian Gulf, hosts an oil terminal which 90 per cent of Iran’s exports pass through.

Iran’s oil infrastructure is likely to be a target of Israeli retaliation strikes after US President Joe Biden didn’t rule it out yesterday.

The 81-year-old said: “We’re in discussion of that. I think that would be a little… anyway.”

Axios cited Israeli officials “point to Iran’s oil facilities as a likely target, but some say targeted assassinations and taking out Iran’s air defence systems are also possibilities.”

Energy analysts have predicted a four or five per cent jump in crude oil prices if Israel were to strike the terminal.

Iran has pledged that if Israel responds, it will also respond in-turn.

Ayatollah Khamenei sat with a rifle by his side as he led prayers in Tehran today and sent a chilling message to Israel.

The Islamic Republic’s leader backed Tuesday’s rocket strike against Israel describing the action as “brilliant”.

He said: “We are neither procrastinating nor hasting in fulfilling our duty [to destroy Israel].”

Khamenei also said that Israel “cannot seriously harm” Hezbollah as the IDF continues its ground invasion of Lebanon to cripple the group.

Meanwhile, Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant pledged “more surprises in store” for Hezbollah after the assassination of Nasrallah.

And some of them, he claimed, have already been carried out.

He said: “Hezbollah is receiving very severe blows, one after the other.”

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It comes as…

• Israel launched airstrikes in Beirut and expanded no-go zone
•  Sinwar’s ‘right hand man’ was killed in bunker blitz in Gaza
•  Brits fleeing Lebanon in superyachts to Aiya Napa for £2,500
•  Iran could have nuclear missiles in six months, expert warns
•  Iran’s missile blitz ‘killed more of its own soldiers than Israelis’
•  Vid shows guards on Brit ship firing at Houthi drone boat
•  Eight IDF soldiers died in Hezbollah ambush in Lebanon
•  Israel plans revenge on Iran from secret mountain bunker

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Israel has continued its campaign of assassinations to decapitate Hezbollah even after troops crossed the border.

The IDF today pounded Beirut trying to kills Nasrallah’s cousin and closest aide who was rumoured to be the group’s next leader.

Israel has also taken out senior commanders of divisions within the group as it has sought it degrade their capabilities.

Gollant said: “[Hezbollah’s] missile and rocket division suffered a very heavy blow. A significant part was destroyed as a result of a high-quality and precise operation.

“Command and control headquarters, communications, the entire leadership of [the elite Radwan Force], and in fact the entire second and third tiers of command below Nasrallah were eliminated.”

Ayatollah Khamenei led prayers today in Tehran with a rifle by his side

Getty

Oil prices could spike five per cent, analysts believe, if Israel targets the island[/caption]