Explosions were heard on Iran's Kharg Island on Tuesday, following multiple attacks by the United States and Israel, according to Iran's semi-official Mehr news agency.
Located in the Persian Gulf, Kharg Island is about 25 km off the coast of Iran and less than 700 km northwest of the Strait of Hormuz.
The island has served as Iran's main oil export terminal since the 1960s, when its facilities were built with the involvement of U.S. oil companies. Iran has since expanded and upgraded its infrastructure over the decades. Today, crude shipped from Kharg forms the backbone of the Iranian government's revenue.
Although it covers only about 20 square km, it handles about 1.5 million barrels of crude oil every day, with 90 percent of Iran's oil passing through a terminal on the island, making it an "economic lifeline" for the country.
On March 13, U.S. forces "executed a large-scale precision strike" on Kharg Island, destroying naval mine storage facilities, missile storage bunkers, and multiple other military sites. U.S. President Trump has also said he has considered taking full control of the island.
U.S., Israel attack Iran's Kharg Island: media
Chinese President Xi Jinping awarded Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic the Friendship Medal of the People's Republic of China in Beijing on Monday.
As solemn music played and the golden doors slowly opened, Xi and Vucic entered the hall together, followed by Xi's wife Peng Liyuan and Vucic's wife Tamara Vucic.
Applauding guests rose to their feet, and paid respect to the two heads of state.
A Guard of Honor escorted the Friendship Medal into the hall, and amid solemn music, Xi formally presented the medal to Vucic.
Xi highlighted Vucic's long-standing commitment to advancing China-Serbia friendship and underscored the significance of the honor.
"President Vucic has long stayed committed to China-Serbia friendship, and he has always given China the firmest and clearest support on issues concerning China's core interests and major concerns. He gains the respect from the Chinese people. This medal is not only a high recognition of President Vucic's contributions to bilateral friendship, but also carries the earnest expectations of both peoples for building a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era," Xi said.
The Friendship Medal is China's highest state honor for foreigners, reserved for those who have made outstanding contributions to China's modernization drive, promoting exchange and cooperation between China and the world, and safeguarding world peace.
At the invitation of Xi, Vucic is on a state visit to China from Sunday to Thursday, with this marking his first state visit to China and his ninth trip to the country overall.
Xi awards Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic China's friendship medal
