Trump Threatens Major Strikes on Iran, Vows to Seize Key Oil and Gas Infrastructure

WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans for a major escalation against Iran, declaring that the United States would launch heavy military strikes and seek control of key Iranian energy infrastructure, including Kharg Island, the country’s principal oil export hub.

In a statement posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump said the United States would strike Iran “very hard” and indicated that Washington intended to take control of Kharg Island and other strategic oil infrastructure sites in the future.

Trump further claimed that the proposed strategy would resemble previous U.S. actions involving Venezuela’s energy sector and asserted that Iran’s naval, air, radar, and air-defense capabilities had already been severely degraded.

Kharg Island is widely regarded as the most important hub for Iran’s crude oil exports, handling a significant portion of the country’s oil shipments to international markets. Analysts warn that any attempt to target or seize the island could have serious consequences for global energy supplies and regional stability.

Middle East experts have cautioned that while such action could deal a major blow to Iran’s economy, it would also carry significant military, political, and economic risks for the United States and its allies.

Following Trump’s remarks, concerns increased in global financial and energy markets, with investors closely monitoring developments amid fears that further escalation could disrupt energy supplies from the Middle East.

No immediate response from Iranian authorities was reported following the latest statements.