U.S. President Donald Trump issued a sharp warning on Thursday, threatening to seize Iran’s Kharg Island, the country’s primary oil export terminal. Speaking to media outlets, Trump suggested that the U.S. military could take “total control” of Iran’s oil and gas infrastructure, drawing a direct comparison to U.S. operations in Venezuela earlier this year.
The threat follows a series of airstrikes conducted by the U.S. on Wednesday, which Trump claimed involved $250 million worth of munitions. The escalation stems from ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, specifically following the reported downing of a U.S. Apache helicopter. While the President remains vocal about the potential for a ground operation to secure the terminal, he also acknowledged uncertainty regarding whether the American public and military possess the “stomach” for such a significant undertaking.
Kharg Island is central to Iran’s economy, previously accounting for approximately 90% of the nation’s crude shipments. While the U.S. Navy has maintained a blockade on Iranian ports, a full-scale seizure of the island would represent a major shift in the conflict’s scope, potentially disrupting global energy markets that rely on the Strait of Hormuz.