Amid renewed tensions and escalating confrontation between the United States and Iran, President Donald Trump has reportedly threatened to seize Iran’s oil-rich Kharg Island, warning that a “very tough strike” would take place.
According to a report published by the British newspaper Daily Mail on Thursday, Trump vowed to bring Iran’s oil facilities, including Kharg Island, under U.S. control in a manner he compared to Venezuela.
Kharg Island is a strategic energy hub through which approximately 90 percent of Iran’s crude oil exports are processed, making it one of the country’s most important sources of revenue.
The island is heavily fortified, with missile systems, naval mines, and extensive deployments of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Military analysts note that any attempt to seize the island would require a substantial military operation involving thousands of troops.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump claimed that the United States would launch a severe strike against Iran. He alleged that Iran’s naval and air capabilities, radar systems, air-defense networks, and much of its offensive military capacity had already been significantly degraded.
Trump further stated that the United States could, at some point in the future, take control of Kharg Island and other Iranian oil infrastructure. He said Washington would seek full control over Iran’s oil and gas market operations, drawing comparisons to U.S. policy toward Venezuela.
The remarks came after a series of escalating exchanges between Washington and Tehran. According to the report, Trump ordered retaliatory action following the reported downing of a U.S. Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz. The latest threat also followed a second round of reported U.S. airstrikes against Iranian targets overnight.
The developments are likely to further heighten concerns over regional stability and energy security in the Gulf.
Source: Daily Mail.