The Take: Inside Kharg Island, Iran’s oil lifeline under threat
With the US blockading Iran’s ports, Kharg Island is in focus. How are civilians caught in the middle?
![A satellite image shows an oil terminal at Kharg Island, Iran, February 25, 2026. [2026 Planet Labs PBC/Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-03-27T000338Z_1710964373_RC211KA24G4G_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-KHARGISLAND-RISKS-1776431930.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
Kharg Island is the heart of Iran’s oil trade and now a front-line target in the war.
The United States has struck military sites on the island and is enforcing a naval blockade on Iranian ports. But 8,000 people live there. What is life like when bombs fall and the ships stop moving?
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In this episode:
- Seamus Malekafzali (@Seamus_Malek), Journalist
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by David Enders, Chloe K Li with Spencer Cline, Tuleen Barakat, Catherine Nouhan, Noor Wazwaz, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Tamara Khandaker and Sarí el-Khalili.
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. It was mixed by Rick Rush. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer.
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