Trump vows to take Iran oil terminals, launch new strikes
US President Donald Trump has threatened to launch “very hard” strikes against Iran and indicated plans to take control of the country’s key oil facilities, a move that would significantly escalate tensions with the Islamic Republic.
Trump warned of “larger and more powerful” attacks on what would mark a third consecutive night of military action, while continuing efforts to pressure Tehran into turning the fragile ceasefire into a lasting peace agreement.
Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump declared: “The United States will be hitting Iran… VERY HARD TONIGHT.”
He further stated that the US would eventually assume control of Kharg Island and other strategic oil infrastructure, saying, “At some point in the near future, we will take Kharg Island and other oil facilities and gain complete control of their oil and gas markets, similar to what we have done in Venezuela.”
Kharg Island serves as the backbone of Iran’s oil export operations and remains crucial to the nation’s struggling economy. The island is located off Iran’s Gulf coastline, several hundred kilometres northwest of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
Trump had previously floated the idea of seizing the island during the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, which began on February 28.
Following the removal of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in January, Washington claims to have secured influence over Venezuela’s oil sector. Trump has repeatedly suggested applying a similar approach to Iran.
Although Trump did not explain how the United States would take over Iran’s oil infrastructure, analysts note that such an operation would likely require the deployment of American ground forces.
Mixed Signals
Despite his strong rhetoric, Trump appeared uncertain about pursuing the plan during a phone interview with Fox News shortly after making the social media announcement.
“My preference has always been to take Kharg Island,” he said, before adding, “I’m not sure America has the appetite for it.”
While maintaining that he does not want US troops deployed on the ground, Trump argued that the military could quickly gain control if ordered to do so.
“I don’t want boots on the ground,” he said, adding that a small force could potentially “take over the whole place.”
The president also indicated reluctance to target civilian infrastructure, despite earlier threats involving power stations and bridges.
“I’d rather avoid that because ordinary people end up suffering,” Trump said.
He expressed growing frustration over Iran’s refusal to reach an agreement that would end hostilities, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and halt any pursuit of nuclear weapons.
“The whole situation is crazy,” Trump remarked. “They’re already in a position of submission; they just don’t realize it yet. We are talking to them.”
Meanwhile, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent vowed that Iranian assets would be used to compensate Gulf allies for any damage resulting from Tehran’s actions.
As tensions continue despite the ceasefire, both Iran and the United States have exchanged attacks in recent days.
Bessent wrote on X that any harm inflicted on US partners in the Gulf would be covered through funds drawn from Iranian accounts.
He also stated that fees paid to the Persian Gulf Strait Authority would be offset using Iranian assets. The authority was recently established by Tehran to collect transit charges through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy route that Iran has largely restricted since the conflict intensified.