Kharg Island, a coral outcrop in the Bushehr province, Iran, processes 90% of the country's total oil exports and handles approximately 950 million barrels annually. The island, known as the ‘Forbidden Island’ due to strict military control, is the heart of Iran’s oil empire, guarded by the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Despite years of international sanctions, Iran has expanded the island's infrastructure and added two million barrels to its storage capacity in May 2025 by rehabilitating tanks 25 and 27, each capable of holding one million barrels. Despite its reputation as a significant economic backbone of Iran, Kharg Island has been a sought-after destination for conquerors long before the discovery of hydrocarbons, with its strategic maritime value making it a coveted prize.