United States President Donald Trump has threatened a new wave of military strikes against Iran, while also declaring that the US could move to take control of the country’s most important oil facilities in what would mark a major escalation in the ongoing conflict.
In a post shared on his Truth Social platform on Thursday, Trump vowed that American forces would intensify military action against Tehran.
“The United States will be hitting Iran… VERY HARD TONIGHT,” Trump wrote, claiming that much of Iran’s military capability had already been destroyed.
The US president went further by suggesting that Washington could seize Iran’s key oil export infrastructure, including Kharg Island, which handles the vast majority of the country’s crude exports.
“At some point in the not too distant future, we will be taking Kharg Island, and other oil infrastructure points, and assume total control of their Oil and Gas Markets,” Trump stated on Truth Social.
Kharg Island, located in the Persian Gulf, is regarded as the heart of Iran’s oil industry, with reports indicating that nearly 90 percent of the country’s oil exports pass through the terminal. Any attempt to seize the facility would represent one of the most dramatic developments in the conflict.
Speaking later during an interview on Fox News, Trump acknowledged that such a move could require significant military involvement and questioned whether Americans would support it.
“My preference has always been, take Kharg Island… I don’t know that America has the stomach for it,” he said.
The remarks came amid heightened tensions in the Gulf region following reports that the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) had announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to transit traffic, citing the deteriorating security situation involving US forces.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical shipping routes, serving as a gateway for a significant portion of global oil and liquefied natural gas exports. Any disruption to traffic through the waterway could have serious consequences for global energy markets.
The escalating rhetoric has already triggered renewed concerns among investors, with oil prices experiencing fresh volatility amid fears of supply disruptions. Analysts have warned that a prolonged conflict involving Iran’s energy infrastructure could send crude prices significantly higher.
Trump’s latest comments also raise questions about how the United States would carry out any attempt to assume control of Iranian oil facilities, as such an operation would likely require extensive military planning and potentially the deployment of ground forces.
As of the time of filing this report, Iranian authorities had not issued an official response to Trump’s remarks regarding Kharg Island.
The situation remains fluid, with diplomatic efforts and military developments continuing simultaneously as the world watches for Iran’s next move and the potential impact on regional and global stability.
