President Donald Trump has declared the United States will launch "very hard" strikes against Iran and seize its key oil infrastructure, signaling a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict with the Islamic Republic.
Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that "bigger, more powerful" attacks were imminent, as he seeks to compel Tehran to transition from an increasingly fragile ceasefire to a permanent peace agreement. He explicitly stated, "The United States will be hitting Iran... VERY HARD TONIGHT."
Furthermore, the President declared intentions to "take Kharg Island, and other oil infrastructure points, and assume total control of their Oil and Gas Markets, much like we have with Venezuela." Kharg Island is central to Iran's oil export capacity and a critical component of its economy. This strategy mirrors the US approach in Venezuela, where the administration claims to have gained control of the oil industry following the removal of Nicolas Maduro.
However, in a subsequent interview with Fox News, Trump expressed some ambivalence regarding a ground operation to seize oil terminals. While he stated his preference for taking Kharg Island, he questioned the American public's appetite for such an endeavor and reiterated his aversion to deploying extensive ground troops. He also indicated a reluctance to target civilian infrastructure, citing concerns about the impact on the populace.
Trump conveyed his frustration with Iran's perceived unwillingness to agree to terms that would end the war, ensure passage through the Strait of Hormuz, and prevent nuclear weapons development. Concurrently, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent affirmed that Iranian funds would be utilized to compensate Gulf allies for any damages incurred. Bessent also stated that fees collected by Iran's newly established agency for transit through the Strait of Hormuz would be offset by funds drawn from Iranian accounts, reflecting the tense economic and strategic standoff.
