Posted on Mar 14, 2026 / Travel

Kharg Island is not a typical tourist destination and access is highly restricted. The island hosts critical oil infrastructure and military facilities, so visitors generally need special permission to enter. Most travelers cannot freely visit like they would other Persian Gulf islands. Security is tight because the island plays such a major role in Iran’s energy exports. Workers in the oil industry, government staff, and military personnel make up most of the people who come and go. Because of these restrictions, the island is sometimes informally called the “Forbidden Island.” For most people, the only way to see it is through satellite images or news reports about its oil facilities.
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